Manchester United reportedly have no interest in a move for Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The 27-year-old was thought to have been identified as the Red Devils' top alternative to Frenkie de Jong amid the Dutchman's desire to remain at Barcelona.
Milinkovic-Savic posted another impressive set of statistics from the 2021-22 season at Lazio, registering 11 goals and 11 assists from 47 games in all competitions.
All of Milinkovic-Savic's goals and 10 of his assists came in 37 Serie A appearances under Maurizio Sarri, who fielded the midfielder from the off on 36 occasions.
Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time now, and his Lazio contract will expire at the end of the 2023-24 season.
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A recent report had claimed that Man United were preparing a £42m bid for the Serbia international, who has also attracted glances from Arsenal.
However, The Express now claims that the Red Devils do not hold an interest in bringing Milinkovic-Savic to Old Trafford while they prioritise a move for De Jong.
The report adds that United believe their name is being thrown around to bump up the midfielder's price tag, with Juventus also said to be in the race to sign him.
Juve have already swooped for ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba for a second time this summer, but the Frenchman will now spend several weeks recovering from a knee injury.
Milinkovic-Savic - who has now racked up a total of 58 goals and 46 assists in 293 outings for Lazio in all tournaments - is therefore said to have emerged as an ideal option for Massimiliano Allegri to cover for Pogba.
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The former Genk man has won the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana crowns since arriving in Italy in 2015, and the Biancocelesti paid just €9m (£7.6m) for the midfielder four years ago.
Man United are still holding out hope that a deal for De Jong can be done, but Chelsea are now hovering in the background amid the Dutchman's continued refusal to make the move to Old Trafford.
With Erik ten Hag already confirming that he wants to bring a new midfielder to the club before the transfer window slams shut, Man United could very well move on to alternative options if a deal for De Jong falls through.
Ruben Neves and Youri Tielemans are seemingly at the top of the Red Devils' list in that regard, but Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage expects the former to stay at the club.
A trio of new signings in Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez have arrived so far, and all three will hope to make their competitive debuts for the Red Devils in Sunday's Premier League opener with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ben Knapton
