Arsenal Legend Paul Merson has named Serbia and Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as his preferred midfielder Arsenal should sign in the summer.
The Gunners are in the transfer market seeking to strengthen their midfielder department.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Youri Tielemans have emerged as Arsenal’s top midfielder targets for the summer.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is normal compared to Zinedine Zidane and Yaya Tour because of his style of play and his normally deployed as a center midfielder in the mezzala role. He can also play as an attacking midfielder because of his finishing ability.
The 27-year-old Serbian international scored 11 and provided 11 in 47 appearances for Lazio last season with all the 11 goals and 11 assists coming in the series A after 37 outings. He was named Lazio player of the season for the second consecutive time.
There are reports in Italy that Arsenal’s initial £42.5 million bid was rejected by Lazio.
And the Gunners are now preparing a new bid for next week.
Paul Merson claims he is the best midfielder in Italian Serie A and therefore, Arsenal should make him their number one target.
What did Paul Merson say?
The former Arsenal and England playmaker said said via Daily Star: “Youri Tielemans would fit nicely at Arsenal if James Ward-Prowse takes the soft option and stays at Southampton.
“I start to worry when that happens when a player plays it safe like that. What are you going to do, realistically, at Southampton? West Ham wanted Ward-Prowse and that would have been a good move for him too because they will finish above Saints.
“But I said before that Arsenal should have gone in for him. The thing is, if he’s staying at Southampton, maybe he doesn’t have the ambition? Leicester’s Tielemans would tick the box for Arsenal. He’d be a decent alternative. But Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the player I would go for.
“If Arsenal gets either of those two, they have had a major window. Now more than ever, Arsenal needs a top-class midfielder to compete with the best.
“And I think Savic is a lovely player. A really top-drawer player. The way he played for Lazio last season I personally think he is the best midfield player in Italy. I know Manchester United has been linked with him in the past, but why there isn’t a queue of clubs lining up to buy the Serbian, I do not know. I think a lot of clubs are missing a trick.
“The thing with Tielemans is that he plays in the Premier League. He already has the know-how. He’s proven. And Arsenal doesn’t have time for bedding players in.
“They have to hit the ground running this season because the eyes will be on Mikel Arteta. They can’t afford to have the kind of start they had last season because I don’t see them being as a patient this time around, not after spending all this money.
“Signing a top-class midfielder gives them every chance. You’d be saying it’s between Arsenal and Tottenham for fourth, and maybe even looking at overtaking Chelsea.”
