Reports in England claim Chelsea scouts watched Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in their Europa League match at Celtic with Frank Lampard considering the Serbian midfielder as his ‘heir’.

The Serbia international of 13 caps has been at Lazio since the summer of 2015 and has scored 33 goals and contributed 23 assists in 174 matches during that time.

He helped Lazio win the Italian Cup last season, scoring in their 2-0 win over Atalanta in the final having eliminated both Milan clubs en route.

According to Sportsmail, the London club are likely to make a move for the 24-year-old at the end of the season once their transfer embargo has been lifted.

In the past, Lazio president Claudio Lotito has refused offers approaching €100million (£86m) for the player he regards as the ‘sergeant’ of the side.

The Serbian has scored in the Serie A fixture against Genoa and the Europa League game with Rennes so far this season.

Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi is resigned to losing the player in June with several offers from overseas expected to come in.

Milinkovic-Savic played all of their 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park on Thursday night, with Christopher Jullien scoring an 89th-minute winner for Celtic.