Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has cast doubt over a potential move to the Premier League this summer after committing immediate future to the Italian capital.
The highly-coveted central midfielder was tipped to leave the Serie A this transfer window after enjoying a stellar campaign at the Stadio Olimpico last term.
Manchester United were just one of the clubs heavily linked with the Serb, but a move has so far failed to transpire, with manager Jose Mourinho highly critical of his club’s transfer policy ahead of the season.
Milinkovic-Savic was mooted to part ways with Lazio and move to Old Trafford, though the 23-year-old has now revealed his intentions to remain in Rome for the forthcoming campaign.
When asked by a fan outside the capital club’s training complex whether he would be remaining in Rome, Milinkovic-Savic said, via Football Italia: “Definitely. You can see that I am here.”
The Serbia international returned to Lazio from international duty after recuperating from the White Eagles’ group exit in the World Cup, undertaking routine medical tests at the Paideia centre.
Milinkovic-Savic was due to return from his prolonged rest on Monday, but he failed to show up, leading to fears the Spanish-born Serb would be parting company with Lazio in the coming weeks.
However, his agent – former Chelsea striker – Mateja Kezman disclosed that his client missed his flight out of Belgrade because of heavy traffic.
Milinkovic-Savic’s breakthrough season
Since joining Le Aquile in the summer of 2015 from Belgium outfit Genk, the midfield general has amassed 122 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 25 goals and recording 19 assists.
The towering midfielder has featured prominently since relocating to Rome, but last season would see his stock skyrocket after Lazio finished fifth in the Italian top-flight, with Milinkovic-Savic netting 12 goals in the process.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the only player for Lazio this season to win over 50 tackles and created over 40 chances:
Useful at both ends of the pitch.
pic.twitter.com/xBMr2qQjLC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 4, 2018
His performances last term were impressive as he proved invaluable at both ends of the pitch, completing the second-most dribbles at the club with 92 at a rate of 4.2 per 90 minutes.
He also took on the second-most shots with 91 at a rate of 1.2 per 90, as well as scoring the second-most goals and the most from outside the box (five).
Defensively the Serb completed the fourth-most tackles at the club with 55, while he also drew the most fouls of any player, being stopped illegally 52 times.
Lazio start the 2018-19 domestic season against Napoli on August 19.
The post Milinkovic-Savic rules out Lazio exit: ‘I’m definitely staying’ appeared first on Squawka News.
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