Lazio have set a £35 million asking price for Lucas Biglia in an attempt to scare off interest from Manchester United, reports Corriere dello Sport [via the Daily Express].
The Red Devils have seen an offer of €25 million (just over £17.5 million) turned down by the Italian side. Le Aquile are keen to keep hold of the 29-year-old, who they recently appointed their captain. However, the player himself seems more open to a move, refusing to deny that he could leave the club [The Sun].
“Does the fact I accepted the captain’s armband mean I will definitely stay? I don’t know,” said Biglia.
“It doesn’t depend on me. I am here and working hard and thinking about tomorrow’s game. After that anything can happen.”
There are even reports that the former Anderlecht man has agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League side [La Gazzetta dello Sport via Le 10 Sport], and that a fee between the clubs is all that needs to be negotiated.
United may not require the midfielder though, after signing Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. Both of the arrivals made their debuts in the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday, and leave little need for Louis van Gaal to improve the team in the middle of the park. As well as the two aforementioned new recruits, the Red Devils can also call upon the likes of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.
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Indeed, Biglia could decide to sign a contract extension at the Stadio Olimpico instead. Club president Claudio Lotito is thought to have offered a £2.1 million-a-season three-year deal to the Argentina international, which would make him the highest-paid player at the club according to the Express.