As reported by The Express, Manchester United are ready to go to battle with their city rivals in order to land one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

What's the story?

The two Manchester clubs are leading the way on the pitch in the English Premier League this season and two look set to compete off the pitch too in upcoming transfer windows.

The Express report that Jose Mourinho is ready to make Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic one of his number one targets next summer in an effort to make sure he doesn't end up working for Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

The paper say Guardiola has also been impressed with his showings for the Italian club and will keep tabs on his progress throughout the season.

However, Lazio won't let him go on the cheap and the report states he could cost as much as £75m.

Worth that much?

The reported £75m is a significant fee, even by 2017 standards, and Milinkovic-Savic hasn't got too much experience at the top level to justify such a price tag. He does have potential though and Lazio are wise to try and protect his talent with high asking prices.

A winner of the U20 World Cup with Serbia in 2015, the 22-year-old has every chance of making it to the very top if he continues his current trajectory. A mainstay in the Lazio side, he's emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Italian football now and will almost undoubtedly make a move to a giant club with his next career step.

With seven goals and 10 assists last season, he's shown he can be an effective attacking presence in the middle of the park, which could be a big hit at either Manchester United or City, if they're willing to pay the big money for him.

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