Former Lazio director of sport Igli Tare claims that ‘Milan and Manchester United offered €100 million for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’, but their bids were rejected.
Tare scouted the Serbia international and signed him from KRC Genk in the summer of 2015 for €12 million, just as he was on the verge of joining Fiorentina.
He went on to flourish with the Biancocelesti, but with his contract expiring, he chose to join Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for €40 million.
Former director of sport Tare stated that things may have turned out very differently for Milinkovic-Savic.
“Many things have been said about Milinkovic-Savic that are not true, from losing him as a free agent to the idea he didn’t want to stay,” Tare told TV Play.
“The only truth is that President Claudio Lotito turned down a very important offer worth more than €100 million from Milan and Manchester United.”
“I’m not going to go into why the sale did not go through, because Lotito wanted to keep a strong squad and keep the promises he made to the coach.”
“Let us not forget that the season which was interrupted by COVID, Lazio were on the verge of winning the Scudetto.”
The Albanian played for Lazio from 2005 to 2008 before retiring and becoming director of sport from 2008 till June 2023.
Tare left Lazio at the end of last season and has been linked with a move to Napoli, who are currently looking for a long-term successor after Cristiano Giuntoli joined Juventus.
“I am not someone who would say no to this or that endeavor. Napoli is a terrific club in a city that adores football. I am flattered if Aurelio De Laurentiis admires me, but it would be unfair to my colleagues to remark further.
“I never had direct contact with Napoli, I heard many rumours, but nobody from the club called me to suggest we collaborate together.”
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