Who is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic? Meet the gigantic goalkeeper fans desperately want Leeds United to sign

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Leeds United are heavily linked with a move for Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the summer transfer window.

Daniel Farke is working hard to improve several key positions in his squad ahead of Leeds United’s return to the Premier League.

The defence has been strengthened with the signings of Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson, while Lukas Nmecha has added some extra firepower.

But one position Leeds have been unable to enhance yet is goalkeeper, and it’s one they really need to sort.

Leeds want to upgrade on Illan Meslier after his costly mistakes last season but have struggled to sign one so far, despite being linked with several.

One name that has got Leeds fans very excited is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and here’s everything you need to know about him.

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Who is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic?

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is a Serbian goalkeeper who plays for Italian side Torino.

After starting his career in Austria and then in his homeland, Milinkovic-Savic got a big early move to Manchester United. He cost them over £1m aged just 18.

However, he was released by Man U a year later as he was unable to secure a work permit to play in England. As a result, his already well-travelled career continued in Poland with Lechia Gdansk.

After two seasons, he moved to Serie A with Torino but, though he got minutes in cup competitions, he remained second choice behind Salvatore Sirigu.

Three loan moves would follow, but Milinkovic-Savic finally became No.1 in 2021.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to Leeds United transfer news

Milinkovic-Savic first emerged as a possible target for Leeds in early July, after they missed out on Djordje Petrovic.

It’s reported that Milinkovic-Savic has a £19m release clause, though they face stiff competition, with Italian champions Napoli linked.

However, Napoli could be signing Rui Patricio instead.

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are also said to be interested, with Leeds looking at their goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic.

Leeds remain interested but are also keen on Lyon’s Lucas Perri.

How old is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic?

Milinkovic-Savic was born in Ourense, Galicia, Spain, while his father, Nikola Milinkovic, was playing for CD Ourense, on February 20, 1997.

As of July 2025, he is 28 years old, which is the age of player Farke is looking to sign this summer, as he wants experienced operators.

How tall is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic?

Milinkovic-Savic stands at a gigantic 6’8″ tall, which has got fans very excited.

Farke has been signing tall and physically strong players this summer and you can’t get much taller than that.

If he does sign, Milinkovic-Savic would beat out 6’7″ Dan Burn to become the tallest player in the Premier League.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic salary

According to SalarySport, Milinkovic-Savic earns just £18,000 a week at Torino, which works out at £936,000 a year.

If that’s the case, Leeds would be able to offer him a significant pay rise at Elland Road.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic stats

Milinkovic-Savic’s career starts for club and country.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic Instagram and X/Twitter accounts

Milinkovic-Savic has an official Instagram account with 120k followers that you can find @vanja_32.

He does not appear to have a public X, formerly Twitter, account.

Is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic related to Sergej Vanja Milinkovic-Savic?

Yes! Milinkovic-Savic is from a very prestigious sporting family and his older brother is former Lazio talisman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The older brother was once regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe but never arrived in England despite years of links.

He now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The brothers have played together for Serbia.

As well as their father being a footballer, their mother, Milana Savic, was a professional basketball player.