Chelsea scouts watch Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in action against Celtic
Chelsea sent scouts to Glasgow to watch Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic against Celtic on Thursday, say reports.
The Serbian midfielder has attracted admirers from across Europe after several impressive seasons with the Roman club.
And the Mail Online reports that the Blues are casting an eye over his progress, despite currently being in the middle of a two-window transfer ban.
Frank Lampard is said to consider the 24-year-old as his successor in the Chelsea midfield as the Premier League side weigh up a sizeable bid for next summer, when their embargo will be lifted.
The club were slapped with the punishment by Fifa after breaking rules over the signing of youth players.
Lazio rate Milinkovic-Savic very highly and have held out for a sum of more than €100 million in the past.
However, those demands may have dropped by the end of the season to a more reasonable €60m, according to the outlet.
Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United are among the clubs to have been credited with an interest in the Serbia international in the past.
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A physical powerhouse with a superb touch and eye for goal, Milinkovic-Savic has been one of the standout players in Serie A over recent seasons and won the league’s Midfielder of the Year award for 2018/19.
This season, he has two goals and four assists to his name in 11 appearances across all competitions.
Thursday wasn't a night to remember for the Serbian though, as Lazio threw away a 1-0 half time lead to lose 2-1 at Celtic Park thanks to a late Christopher Julien header.
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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.