Premier League club Arsenal will go ‘all-in’ to sign Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports in Italy.
Milinkovic-Savic has played over 300 times for the Italian club, but has been linked with a move to England for several years now.
He joined Lazio from Genk in August 2015 and has established himself as a top midfielder over the last seven-and-a-half years.
In 39 appearances for Serbia, Milinkovic-Savic has scored seven goals, including one against Cameroon in the World Cup.
It was a disappointing campaign for Serbia, however, after they finished bottom of Group G behind the African nation, Switzerland, and Brazil.
Arsenal are not the only Premier League side believed to be interested in Milinkovic-Savic.
The club he has been linked with the most is Manchester United.
However, it is said that the Gunners will go after him in 2023.
This according to Corriere della Sera (via TuttoJuve), who believe the 27-year-old will stay at Lazio until the end of 2022-23.
Milinkovic-Savic is also a ‘top target’ for Serie A rivals Juventus and despite the fact he is not expected to leave in January, the report states that Arsenal will go ‘all-in’ when the transfer window re-opens.
With Arsenal thriving this season, the Serbian midfielder may be tempted after showing a ‘reluctancy’ to leave Italy.
Another player Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with this week is 15-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, also known as Messinho.
Likened to Lionel Messi, Messinho is attracting interest from Europe’s top clubs despite the fact he is yet to sign a professional contract with Palmeiras.
According to Goal, Paris Saint-Germain have made an approach to sign the teenager, but it was rejected by the Brazilian outfit.
With PSG’s offer being turned down, Arsenal and Barcelona have apparently begun ‘monitoring’ Messinho’s situation.
Should a European club sign Messinho, he will not be able to play for them until he turns 18 in April 2025.
This will also be the case with 16-year-old Endrick, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG, and Real Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that Madrid are closing in on the €60million signing of Endrick.
Estevao is apparently eager to replicate the career of one of his idols and the player he is tipped to potentially become, Messi.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the young winger said: “The name Messinho came about because of the comparison, because I always try to keep the ball on my foot.
“He’s certainly someone I’ve been inspired by, since I was a kid I’ve dreamed of being like him.
“Whenever I could I used to watch him play and Baraa matches and I have always tried to look at what he did.”
He continued: “My dream would be to go to Europe and play for Barcelona, which is my childhood dream.
“My childhood dream is to one day play for Barca and at Camp Nou. But now I’m thinking about becoming a professional with Palmeiras, which is the team of my childhood.”
READ MORE: England starting XI from 2018 World Cup makes ‘typical England’ talk a lazy joke
