Could Man Utd and Juventus miss out on Milinkovic-Savic due to outlandish Fulham pursuit?
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 21 Apr 2022 19:16 BST
- 3 min read
Long-time Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to fellow Serie A side Juventus this summer, but could snub them both in favour of a transfer to newly-promoted Fulham.
Under Marco Silva, Fulham have secured their place back in the Premier League for the 2022/23 season following their relegation to the Championship last season.
The West London side have cruised to promotion to the top flight, clinching the achievement with four games left to play.
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They will, however, lose one crucial cog of their side as they move up a division. Talented attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho will join Liverpool this summer, following the path set by Harvey Elliott in leaving Fulham for Anfield as a teenager.
With Carvalho leaving, Fulham have a gaping hole in their midfield that will need to be filled. On-loan Napoli star Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa isn't likely to be that option given his more defensive style and the fact he too might leave on a permanent deal, and the club have therefore reportedly turned to Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The 27-year-old has constantly been linked with a departure from Lazio, most notably to Manchester United, but despite these rumours he is still at the club he joined from Belgian side Genk back in 2015.
Although Man Utd have been linked with a move for the midfielder for several years and not landed him, he remains on their radar and Calciomercato have reported that the Old Trafford club want Milinkovic-Savic as Paul Pogba's replacement.
The French midfielder is set to leave the club this summer when his contract expires and could join Paris Saint-Germain who have expressed an interest in the former Juventus player.
Man Utd reportedly have a "strong and confirmed" interest in Milinkovic-Savic who would work under Erik ten Hag should he choose a move to Old Trafford.
However, while he may finally end up in the Premier League this summer, it might not be to the expected destination of Man Utd. That's because Fulham have expressed an interest and are preparing a bid according to 90min.
Could Milinkovic-Savic actually sign for Fulham?
Milinkovic-Savic has regularly played in European competitions, but is said to be considering a potential move to Craven Cottage due to his countryman and international team-mate Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Mitrovic, 27, has scored 40 Championship goals so far this season, breaking the record set by Ivan Toney last year and becoming the first player since Guy Whittingham in 1992/93 to reach the 40-goal landmark in an English league campaign.
Mitrovic is understood to have settled incredibly well in London since moving there in 2018, and is attempting to convince Milinkovic-Savic, who has 19 goal contributions in Serie A this season, of the Fulham project.
With Donny van de Beek set to return from his loan spell at Everton and reunite with Ten Hag ahead of next season, there may not be room in Man Utd's engine room for the box-to-box Milinkovic-Savic, which could swing things Fulham's way.
Juventus, however, are still interested as they look to transform their midfield this summer, so Fulham will face tough competition from teams able to offer a higher level of football.
