Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has revealed that Claudio Lotito turned down more than €100 million from Manchester United for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbia international was a key player during his time at the Serie A outfit, registering 69 goals and 59 assists from 341 appearances across all competitions.
It was anticipated on many occasions that he could join a bigger European club. United were one of those who were regularly linked without a move materialising.
Milinkovic-Savic eventually joined Al-Hilal in a surprise €40m transfer last summer, but there have been suggestions that he could return to European football.
Speaking to TV Play (via TuttoMercatoWeb), Tare has now revealed Lazio president Lotito had the choice to part ways with Milinkovic-Savic a few years earlier.
The ex-Lazio chief highlighted that the 66-year-old refused a ‘very important offer’ worth more than €100m from the Red Devils as well as AC Milan.
He said: “Many untrue things have been said about Milinkovic-Savic, from the zero parameter farewell to the fact that he did not want to stay, the only true thing is that Lotito refused a very important offer, worth over 100 million euros, from Milan and Manchester United.”
“I do not want to unbalance myself on the non-sale, even if there was a question of budgets, but Lotito’s choices were to maintain a strong team and respect the promises made to the coach. We do not forget that in the year of Covid Lazio was going to win the scudetto.”
Milinkovic-Savic built his reputation as a superb box-to-box midfielder during his time at Lazio. It was predicted that he could end up in the Premier League several times.
After spending eight seasons with the Rome outfit, the midfielder made the surprise switch to Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal where he has impressed with 14 goal contributions.
The Serbian has been linked with a potential return to European football, but we don’t see United entering the race for him. He will be turning 29 at the end of February.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are focused on building a team for the future instead of paying high wages on experienced stars. They are currently planning to reduce the wage bill.
Raphael Varane could be released at the expiry of his contract while there are plans to cut short Casemiro’s stay too with a huge pay-off at the end of the season.