Newcastle United’s hopes of landing Manchester United and Chelsea transfer target dealt blow

The midfielder would be an ambitious target for the Magpies.
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The agent of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has revealed the Lazio star will only consider a move to a club competing in the Champions League this summer.

Newcastle United have been linked with a highly ambitious move for the Serbian midfielder in recent months as they look to continue strengthening Eddie Howe’s squad in a bid to close the gap to the Premier League elite.

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Competition would be fierce if United opted to make a move for the 27-year-old, who has become one of the most consistent midfielders in Serie A during his seven-year stay at Lazio.

Milinkovic-Savic helped the Biancocelesti lift the Coppa Italia in 2019 and they have also won the Supercoppa Italia twice during his time at the club.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for the midfielder over the last few weeks - but agent Mateja Kezman has revealed only the latter of that trio are likely to have a chance to tempt his client into a Premier League move this summer.

“(Thomas) Tuchel likes the player a lot, but he needed a centre-back,” he told Corriere dello Sport.

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On potential interest from Newcastle and Arsenal, the former Croatia star added: “To be honest, Sergej and I think these options are not for him.

“In the future, he will want to play in the Champions League every season.”

Kezman admitted a ‘miracle’ would be needed if Milinkovic-Savic was to secure a move away from Lazio before Thursday’s transfer deadline - but believes the World Cup this year means ‘everything is possible’ for the January window.

“Unless a miracle happens in the last days (of the summer transfer window), he will stay at Lazio. Time will tell for how long.

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“No club matched Claudio Lotito’s asking price this summer and I don’t think the situation will change.

“I don’t know (if a January move would be an option), it all depends on the World Cup, everything is possible”.