MANCHESTER UNITED’s transfer plans are under threat from Juventus as the Italian giants join the race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Manchester United are understood to be interested in Lazio midfielder Milinkovic-Savic, who is available for £87.5m (€100m).
Lazio would prefer to keep their star midfielder but know cashing in on his now would generate a huge cash injection.
A deal with United has been talked about for weeks, although no move is predicted until after the World Cup.
But Italian newspaper Tuttosport claim Juventus are now working on a rival deal for the Serbia international.
According to the report, Juve are planning a three-point strategy to topple Manchester United and get their man.
The first stage is already underway, with Juve letting Lazio know of their interest.
Bosses at the Serie A club are now biding their time, letting the initial frosty response from Lazio’s board a few weeks to ‘thaw’.
Juve will then go in with a firm offer before hoping to speak to the player himself.
Juventus were not expected to rival United for big-money signings this summer but those plans are said to have changed in recent days.
Tuttosport claim Juve successfully prevented manager Max Allegri leaving for Real Madrid but placating his transfer demands.
Gonzalo Higuain remains Juve’s club record signing at £75m and Milinkovic-Savic’s fee would shatter that.
But United still have dog in the fight, with Jose Mourinho keen to get a deal done.
The manager is looking to revamp his midfield this summer and an agreement is in place to bring Brazilian Fred to the club from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Source:www.express.co.uk