Newcastle United ‘make contact’ with midfielder’s agent after shock contract decision

Newcastle United have reportedly made contact with the agent of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Despite the impressive form of the likes of Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock, the Magpies are believed to be keen to add to their midfield options during the summer transfer window and are assessing several options across the Premier League and around Europe.

Links with Serbian international Milinkovic-Savic after far from new, with the midfielder linked with a move to Tyneside on several occasions over the last six months - but the latest reports from Italy suggest the Magpies have gone a step further and made an enquiry over the Lazio star’s availability this summer.

The 28-year-old will head into the final 12 months of his current deal with the Serie A side this summer and negotiations over an extension are believed to be ongoing. But several clubs - including Newcastle and Premier League rivals Arsenal - are said to be monitoring the situation with a view to making an offer at the end of the season according to Gazzetta della Sport.

The midfielder has reportedly been offer a one-year extension to prolong his time at the Studio Olympico - but is set to reject the terms put to him and look for a move elsewhere. The news will come as a blow to Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri, who praised Milinkovic-Savic recently, describing the star as the best he had worked with throughout his career.

He told DAZN: “I’ve coached great midfielders, like Zielinski and Hamsik, and he’s one of the best. He really is a complete player with great quality. He also has great determination. And above all he’s improving in some aspects.”