Arsenal have reportedly been in contact with the agent of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to discuss a possible move to the Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old has been consistently linked with a move away from Lazio over the last few years, with a number of clubs said to be admirers of the Serbia international.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the clubs to be linked with Milinkovic-Savic, who has entered the final 18 months of his contract with Lazio.
However, according to Correire dello Sport, Arsenal have now made contact with the Serbian's agent to discuss a potential switch to North London during this summer's transfer window.
Milinkovic-Savic has again been in strong form at club level this season, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 22 appearances in all competitions.
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The attacker also represented his country at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once in three appearances, with his goal coming against Cameroon at the end of November.
Milinkovic-Savic made the move to Lazio from Genk in 2015, and he has now represented the White and Sky Blues on 316 occasions, scoring 63 goals and contributing 58 assists in the process.
Towards the end of last year, Lazio president Claudio Lotito said that he was not interested in selling the Serbian and would instead offer him a new contract.
"I will not sell Milinkovic-Savic, I will offer him a renewal. I reiterate, he is now worth €120m (£105m), and every month that passes, the price goes up," Lotito told Il Messaggero.
However, Lazio are not in a strong position to demand a high fee due to the player's contract situation.
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In the early stages of last year, Lotito claimed that he had rejected an offer in the region of £120m for Milinkovic-Savic, but the length of time left on his current deal has changed the picture entirely.
"Milinkovic is not for sale. I turned down €140m (£120m) bid for him [years ago]", Lotito told Rai Sport at the time. "I'd ask Sergej what he wants to do only in case we receive an important proposal from a world-class top club."
Lazio are unlikely to be willing to let the midfielder leave during the January transfer window, but he could be on the move during the summer market.
Arsenal are bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004 this season, with the Gunners currently sitting top of the table, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
Matt Law
