Arsenal are not actively pursuing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

There had been reports in Italy that the Gunners had tabled a €55m (£47m) bid for the Serbian international, but Romano has played down the speculation, stating that Mikel Arteta’s side are far more likely to go after Leicester’s Youri Tielemans:

“I see some of these names mentioned. Milinkovic-Savic is always mentioned in the Italian press, but Lazio want €75-80million (£64-69million) for Milinkovic-Savic, so it is a really complicated one. I am sure that Tielemans is a good opportunity because he is out of contract next summer. He is not extending his Leicester contract, so this is why Arsenal are exploring that possibility more than Milinkovic-Savic today.”

Milinkovic-Savic does tend to fill plenty of column inches in the Italian media, as Romano points out but, despite having been linked with pretty much every English club over the past few years, he has always stayed in Rome.

From Romano’s remarks, it seems there will be no change in that regard. Paying a minimum of €75m (£64m) for Milinkovic-Savic when Tielemans could be available for half the price doesn’t seem like a sensible move.

It is, therefore, wise to take any reports about offers for Milinkovic-Savic over the coming days and weeks with a very large pinch of salt.