In a recent report, Calciomercato mentioned that Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. It has been claimed that the Magpies are showing interest in recruiting the Serbian playmaker in the summer.
Milinkovic-Savic’s Impressive Form In Italian Football
Milinkovic-Savic is having another incredible campaign at the Italian club as he has managed to put in a string of influential performances for them at the centre of the park. The 27-year-old has banged in six goals and grabbed eight assists in 29 matches for Lazio this season in all competitions.
The Serbia international has been a reliable performer at the heart of Lazio’s midfield based on his average of 1.8 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, 1.6 shots, 1.4 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per 90 minutes in Seria A. He has even been careful when distributing possession from midfield after making 75.4% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Italian club is set to expire in the summer of 2024. Thus, it makes sense for Newcastle to land him on the cheap at the end of this season.
Is Milinkovic-Savic A Good Fit For Newcastle United Boss Eddie Howe?
Milinkovic-Savic is a solid tackler of the ball and can make a few timely interceptions for his side at the centre of the park. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball back when needed and can launch a few powerful strikes at goal. Milinkovic-Savic mainly functions as a box-to-box midfielder but can also fill in as an attacking midfielder if told to do so.
The Serbian talent has got the vision to engineer some meaningful openings in the final third and can make a few clever runs toward the opponent’s penalty box. At 27, he is currently playing at the top of his game and could make an instant impact at Newcastle.
We can expect Milinkovic-Savic to add more quality to Eddie Howe‘s midfield and help the Magpies challenge for some major trophies over the next few years. He could even go on to form a dominant midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock at the Tyneside club in the future.
Milinkovic-Savic ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Eddie Howe demands from his midfielders at St. James’ Park. Thus, he will be a good fit for Newcastle as long as they can sign him for a fair price next summer.
