SS Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has made clear that he wants to stay with the team amid rumors of a possible departure in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Lazio talent had received significant interest from several clubs for a possible transfer deal, including Paris Saint-Germain. According to a recent Le10Sport report, PSG sporting director Leonardo had hopes of completing such a blockbuster deal, even as the teams such as Real Madrid showed an interest in him as well.
However, PSG and Real Madrid may not be able to complete such a deal anytime soon. The midfielder spoke (via Gianluca Di Marzio’s site) following Lazio’s league win over Cagliari about his intention to remain with the club.
“I’m happy at Lazio, my mind is on this club,” Milinkovic-Savic said. “There’s a contract through 2024, so I’ll stay. My agent will handle the rest.”
The one key reason for his ambition to continue with the club is due to Lazio’s qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. The side clinched a top-four spot in Serie A play this season and is set to return to Europe’s premier club competition. Milinkovic-Savic spoke about why this meant much to him.
“Ever since I arrived in 2015, my goal was to play in the Champions League with Lazio,” Milinkovic-Savic said. “Finally this season we reached the objective. When I arrived in Rome, there was great enthusiasm for the preliminary round in the Champions League, now we must prepare well for the group stages.”
Unless Leonardo is somehow able to convince Milinkovic-Savic to change his mind on this matter, PSG will have to search elsewhere for a workhorse midfielder.
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