Arsenal making progress on deal for £86 million midfielder

Arsenal are back in action on Boxing Day as they host West Ham United in an enticing London derby. 

The Gunners currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, and boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping to ensure that his side’s good pre-World Cup form continues.

The Spaniard has, however, already been dealt a huge blow as striker Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for a number of weeks after suffering medial ligament damage in Brazil’s defeat to Cameroon during the World Cup group stages.

A date hasn’t yet been revealed for Jesus’ return, but he has recently been pictured with strapping on his knee.

Now, though, it appears that Arsenal are looking to bolster their squad.

According to Relevo via Football Insider, The Gunners are putting things in place in an attempt to sign Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Premier League side have reportedly made contact with the player’s agent, with a view to completing a deal next summer.

Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been one of the most impressive midfielders in Serie A for a number of seasons now, but he is set to be out of contract during the summer of 2024.

Milinkovic-Savic has recently returned from international duty in Qatar

The Serbia international, who was part of his nation’s squad for the World Cup, has scored five goals and provided seven assists in 20 matches across all competitions for Lazio so far this term.

In Qatar, the ex-Genk man made started all three of Serbia’s group stage games before they were eliminated from Group G.

The midfielder made the move from Belgium to Italy back in 2015 and has since made more than 300 appearances for the Italian side.

His time in Rome could be coming to an end though, as Arsenal are hoping to take advantage of the player’s desire to leave.

While Milinkovic-Savic has no intention of signing a new deal with his current employers, Lazio will reportedly demand as much as £86 million for the Serbian.

The player has previously been linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs, but a move hasn’t yet materialised and he remains a Lazio player at present.