Man Utd could lose long-term transfer target to Juventus

FT Desk

• 15 Nov 2022 21:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United missed out on long-term transfer target Frenkie de Jong this summer, and now their Plan B for the midfielder looks set to join Juventus…

De Jong made it clear he had no intention of leaving Barcelona with the club still owing him €17 million in deferred wages, even if he had won a domestic double with new United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax in 2019.

United have since paid Real Madrid €80m for Casemiro, and the Brazilian is beginning to impress at the base of their midfield, but he is more destroyer than creator and stylistically, the Red Devils wanted to bring in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio.

READ: Man Utd see De Jong alternative's asking price halved

But now it appears that the Serbian international - who will go to the World Cup with his nation later this month - has a transfer to Juventus lined up.

"Juventus are ready to formulate an official offer for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic," report Tutto Mercato. "The Bianconeri will put €50m plus bonuses on the table so as to convince Lazio [of a move]."

Milinkovic-Savic has scored five goals and assisted seven more across Serie A and the Europa League this season, and the 27-year-old - who is valued at €35.3 per Football Transfers' in-house algorithm - is out of contract the summer after next.

READ: Juventus linked with shock move for Scottish Pogba replacement

Lazio appear to be more than willing to drive up his price, though.

Lotito: 'money talks'

"I'm not selling him, and I don't give a damn about the applause," club president Claudio Lotito said after Lazio's 3-0 loss to Juventus in the final game before the winter break, in which the Juve fans gave Milinkovic-Savic a warm reception.

"Money talks. Bring at least €100m to the table to see him in black and white."

Whilst that might have been an emotional response from Lotito, the chances of Milinkovic-Savic appear to be narrowing.

Juventus can no longer afford such astronomical sums, though, and if Lazio do hold out for more than twice the player's transfer value, United could be in with a chance after all.