Newly-promoted Fulham are attempting to convince Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to move to west London - with his Serbian international teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic pushing hard for the transfer to happen.
Milinkovic-Savic has been one of Serie A’s top peforming midfielders for a number of seasons, and has long been linked with a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
90min understands that Juventus have listed the player as a potential recruit, while Manchester United have also been keeping tabs for a number of years - even if interest has never amounted to anything significant.
Despite the repeated links, Milinkovic-Savic remains with Lazio - who he has now been with for seven years since joining from Belgian outfit Genk - though the new Premier League outfit are pushing a surprise proposal.
A move to England, and particularly Craven Cottage, is being pushed to Milinkovic-Savic by fellow countryman and close friend Mitrovic.
Listen now to 90min's brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott Saunders & Graeme Bailey. Toby Cudworth joins the show this week to discuss contract situations at West Ham, while there are updates on Man City's pursuit of Erling Haaland and Chelsea's plans for Romelu Lukaku.
Mitrovic, who has scored a remarkable 40 goals in 40 Championship games this season to fire them to the top flight, adores life in the capital, and has done since his move from Newcastle in 2018. The way he has settled is believed to have caught Milinkovic-Savic's attention.
Fulham are ready to give a big boost to their hopes of a long-term Premier League stay from next season, and are ready to back manager Marco Silva with money to bolster his squad to enable them to push on.
And there is a belief that they could put together a package that could possibly tempt Milinkovic-Savic to move – though it remains to be seen how keen he is to leave Serie A, or even Lazio, where he is a key player under Maurizio Sarri. The 27-year-old has nine goals and 10 assists in 32 league appearances this season, from midfield.
Interestingly, Fulham are also believed to hold an interest in Milinkovic-Savic’s brother Vanja – a former Manchester United prospect who is a goalkeeper currently with Torino - where he has become first choice this season.
The Cottagers are looking to land at least one new goalkeeper ahead of their Premier League campaign, although their first choice is to bring Alphonse Areola back to the club - having starred for them during their last top-flight campaign.
Areola is currently on-loan at West Ham from Paris Saint Germain. The Hammers have first option on the player, but it is believed the French international might favour a guaranteed number one spot at Craven Cottage.
If their first plan doesn't work, then 6ft 8in Milinkovic-Savic is one of the other options they are looking at.
Source : 90min