Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Both Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain have been linked with high-value bids for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the 22-year-old star reportedly attracting potential bids of over €100 million. So what’s all the fuss about? Arriving at Lazio in summer 2015 from Belgian side Genk, the youngster has become a protagonist in Simone Inzaghi’s side, propelling them to a Coppa Italia final appearance as well as a 5th-place finish in the league last term.
Standing at 6’3” tall, the midfielder – who can also play in a more advanced role as part of a front three – provides a physical presence and is ranked 11th in Serie A for number of aerial duels won (2.7 per game). But physicality isn’t all. The Serbian has already eclipsed the number of goals scored in total last season with this year’s tally of five, and improved on his passing success rate with an average of 81.5% as opposed to 78.6% last season.
An energetic, box-to-box midfielder, the energy and talent of Milinkovic-Savic couldn’t fail to have alerted Europe’s biggest clubs, and his performances have meant that this high level esteem is certainly well-deserved.
Bryan Cristante
This Atalanta attacking midfielder caught the headlines after scoring a brace against Everton in a 5-0 demolition of the Toffees at Goodison Park. Such a performance does not tell the whole story however, as the 22-year-old has also been performing well in the league under Coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The veteran is renowned for developing young players, and is no stranger to his pupils moving on to greater things.
“I was told at the end of a youth tournament that there were some Chelsea scouts there to watch me,” Cristante told La Gazzetta dello Sport recently. “The Premier League was a dream then and it’s still a dream now, just as I hope it will be a reality in future, although I don’t know when. So many people tell me: ‘The Premier League is the perfect place for you’ and I agree with them. It’s physical, there’s a lot of tackling and open football. I can really see myself there.”
It is not only Chelsea that have been linked with a move for the player, with West Ham and Manchester United also said to be in the frame. Currently on loan from Benfica, Atalanta would simply have to pay a redemption fee of around €5 million to own the player outright, allowing them to cash in should a big money bid arrive.
Alex Sandro
You could be forgiven for thinking that Juventus left-back Alex Sandro had his mind on other things this season. After a superb season in 2016/17, the 26-year-old Brazilian has been well below par this term, giving rise to speculation that his head has been turned by a lucrative offer from the Premier League. Chelsea and both Manchester clubs are said to be interested in a move for the player this January, but Juve director general Beppe Marotta was keen to dissuade any such talk.
“We have said many times that when a player asks to be sold, regardless of prestige or importance within the team, we are in favour of a sale,” the chief told Mediaset Premium earlier this month. “When a player is unsatisfied, it is better to let him go. In the case of Alex Sandro, he was in full agreement with the idea of remaining with us. His performances are down to his own personal issues that we won’t go into here.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma & Leonardo Bonucci
Recent troubles at AC Milan have increased speculation that both goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and central defender Leonardo Bonucci could leave the club. While reports have suggested that legal representatives of the former – spearheaded by agent Mino Raiola – have sent a letter to the club requesting that the youngster’s contract be annulled on the grounds of “psychological pressure”, rumours linking Bonucci with Manchester City have once again resurfaced.
The defender has endured a torrid time in the Rossoneri backline since joining Juventus in the summer and has long since been admired by City boss Pep Guardiola. The master tactician described the centre-back as “one of my favourite ever players” back when Bayern faced Juventus in the Champions League in 2016, and a recent edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport linked the pair together once again.
