Sought-after Lazio playmaker Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could become the latest European star to embrace the riches of Saudi Arabia.
According to La Repubblica, Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Hilal have submitted a €40 million offer for the 28-year-old after agreeing personal terms with the player.
Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly accepted the Saudis’ lucrative proposal worth €20m per season and is ready to team up with Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Marega at the King Fahd Stadium.
Down to the final year of his contract in Rome, he has been heavily linked with a summer exit. Several Italian clubs, including AC Milan and Juventus, are reportedly vying for his signature.
In contrast to recent reports stating the Serbia international could commit to a new long-term deal at the Stadio Olimpico, the midfielder seems prepared to cut short his eight-year association with Lazio.
He has already turned down several attempts from Lazio to tie him down to a new contract.
As one of the team’s best-performing players over the past few years, he has earned high acclaim from club president Claudio Lotito and head coach Maurizio Sarri.
In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Lotito confirmed his desperate desire to keep hold of his headline performer amid growing interest from Juventus.
Massimiliano Allegri has identified Milinkovic-Savic as an upgrade on his current midfield options, hoping to lure the Serb to the Allianz Stadium as Paul Pogba’s future in Turin remains uncertain.
However, Juventus couldn’t rival Al Hilal’s financial strength, meaning ‘SMS’ could soon be on his way out of Serie A and heading to the Middle East.
Only months after helping Lazio to a runner-up finish in Italy’s top flight, Milinkovic-Savic is willing to pass on the opportunity to play in the Champions League for an extravagant contract in the Saudi Pro League.
He enjoyed a mesmerising 2022/23 campaign in Serie A, racking up nine goals and eight assists in 36 league appearances for the Biancocelesti.
