Top Arsenal target could become available via new release clause with Arteta ‘determined’ to complete signing

Arsenal are the “most determined” club to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio in the summer, according to an Italian reporter.

Milinkovic-Savic is about to enter the final year of his contract with Lazio, so could become available in the summer. Historically, he has been heavily linked with a move to Man Utd. But Arsenal have established themselves as genuine contenders to sign him in recent months.

And according to the latest from Tuttomercatoweb expert Niccolo Ceccarini, no other club are as determined as Arsenal are in the race for Milinkovic-Savic.

A move outside of Italy is deemed to be the most likely outcome for Milinkovic-Savic, despite rival interest from Juventus.

Furthermore, Lazio haven’t given up hope entirely of tying the Serbia international down to a new, improved deal. However, even in that case, Arsenal could have a chance of prising him away.

Indeed, Ceccarini has claimed that Lazio would have to consider inserting a release clause into Milinkovic-Savic’s contract as a compromise for him potentially staying.

It isn’t yet clear how much that termination clause would be set at. All Arsenal would have to do though is match it in a transfer offer in order to be able to negotiate terms with the midfielder.

And recent reports have suggested that Milinkovic-Savic would be willing to accept a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

There may yet be “surprises” whereby Milinkovic-Savic goes down a different route, per the report. But Arsenal could be one of his most attractive destinations anyway after their rise to the Premier League summit this season.

Arsenal ready to give Milinkovic-Savic his deserved new challenge

Perhaps they could be the ones to provide the 28-year-old with a new challenge. He has been with Lazio since 2015, making 332 appearances during that spell.

Along the way, Milinkovic-Savic has scored 66 goals and supplied 59 assists. A move away from Lazio may in fact be overdue as he looks for a bigger stage from which to express his talents.

Milinkovic-Savic’s qualities should suit the Premier League, which will have inspired Arsenal’s interest. They have been looking at the evolution of their midfield already in recent months.

For example, they signed Jorginho from Chelsea during the January transfer window, while allowing Albert Sambi Lokonga to leave on loan for Crystal Palace.

Jorginho, like Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny, is the wrong side of 30, which will also be the case for Thomas Partey by the start of next season.

Hence, Arsenal might need new energy in the department, which Milinkovic-Savic could provide. After all, the former Genk man is in the peak years of his career.

This season, he has eight goals and assists each from 38 appearances across all competitions.

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