As relays the SW, West Ham United are searching for potential replacements for Declan Rice, who will be highly sought after in the transfer market this summer.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is one of the contenders for the Hammers. The newspaper has given an update on the Serbian’s situation, stating that he has not given any indication to his club that he will renew his contract, which expires in 2024. As a result, Lazio may feel compelled to sell him this summer, and West Ham is one of the Premier League clubs that has been linked as a potential destination for him. Gazzetta suggests that the Hammers “could find themselves in a position to replace Rice” by pursuing Milinkovic-Savic.
West Ham’s pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic may be aided by the fact that the Lazio midfielder’s price tag should be lower now. Last year, he was priced at €100 million but no buyers were willing to pay that amount, so a discount may be on the horizon. Although Lazio is hoping to extend his contract until the summer, a sale is currently the most likely outcome. Pursuing Milinkovic-Savic is a bold move by West Ham, as they could face competition from other clubs such as Arsenal and Newcastle United, according to Gazzetta.