Real Madrid will reportedly pursue 27-year-old Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic if they fail to land Jude Bellingham next summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Fichajes, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. Los Blancos will pursue the 27-year-old Lazio midfielder if they fail to secure the services of top target Jude Bellingham.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since joining Lazio from KRC Genk in August 2015. The Serbian international has gone from strength to strength in the last seven years and is a pivotal figure for the Italian club.
The 27-year-old is enjoying another solid campaign in 2022/23, chipping in with five goals and seven assists in 20 appearances for Lazio. And the Serb is currently in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with his national team. Meanwhile, his exploits have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid being one of his prospective suitors.
Real Madrid will lay down the succession plan for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the coming months. And that will entail them signing two midfielders to fill the impending void by the ageing midfield duo in the coming years. Jude Bellingham has thus emerged as the top target for Real Madrid for next summer.
But recent reports have claimed that Liverpool might be in the pole position to land the English international. So Real Madrid will need to have alternatives in mind if Bellingham does not arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu next summer. Milinkovic-Savic is thus a viable target for the reigning La Liga champions.
The 27-year-old is at the peak of his powers and might be ready to explore a new league after a terrific stint in Serie A. But Milinkovic-Savic is not the only candidate in Real Madrid’s Bellingham contingency plan. Enzo Fernandez and Youri Tielemans are also on Los Blancos‘ radar, suggesting they are ready for every eventuality.
Real Madrid will still prefer to sign Bellingham as the preferred midfield reinforcement. But Milinkovic-Savic, Fernandez, and Tielemans are viable alternatives for the English international for next summer. It will be interesting to see who arrives at the Bernabeu to bolster Real Madrid’s midfield department.