Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is now seemingly closing in on a lucrative move to Al-Hilal, a transfer that many believe would waste the Lazio star’s career, Apollo Heyes reflects.
Reports emerged today that Saudi side Al-Hilal were willing to pay €40m – the asking price – for the Serbian midfielder, who has less than a year left on his contract with Lazio.
The Biancocelesti have seemingly accepted this proposal and Al-Hilal are now in talks with the 28-year-old and his agent Mateja Kezman, possibly offering a deal worth around €20m net per season.
In recent weeks, a handful of top clubs like Inter and Juventus have approached Lazio to explore a move for Milinkovic-Savic, but the €40m asking price pushed them to look elsewhere, leaving the player without any strong suitors.
The Serbian star has regularly been the protagonist of various transfer windows, endlessly linked with moves to top European sides in the Premier League or Serie A, but now he could be on the verge of closing out his career in the Middle East, following the trail of riches in the Saudi Pro League.
At 28, Milinkovic-Savic is at the peak of his career and his performances under Maurizio Sarri at Lazio last season proved his continued class, with his 17 direct goal contributions playing a key role in the team’s Champions League qualification and second-place finish.
The news of his possibly imminent move to Saudi Arabia has not gone down well with fans across the board, both under the Biancocelesti flag and otherwise. The general consensus is that Milinkovic-Savic would waste his career by accepting the move, having never played for a true title contending team.
Is this really a fair assessment?
Whilst yes, it’s true that he would’ve found far more fame and possibly glory by making moves to Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain or Juventus, it doesn’t mean the eight years he’s spent with Lazio have been wasted time.
The 28-year-old Serbian midfielder has almost always been one of the stars of the show in the Biancocelesti squad and has grown into a legendary figure amongst supporters, being widely appreciated for his abilities, professionalism and loyalty.
His work in Rome has seen him become a mainstay with the Serbian national team, earning 43 caps and two World Cup call-ups, and he’s still lifted some silverware, winning the Coppa Italia in the 2018-19 campaign.
With the direction that modern football is taking – increased commercialisation and a growing monopolisation of talent in the Premier League – the fact that a player like Milinkovic-Savic chose to stay so loyal to Lazio for so long is a refreshing and positive fact.
In the Serie A glory days of the 1990s, one of the most beloved aspects was the division of the stars across the teams, something that Milinkovic-Savic’s loyalty harkens back to. Alongside Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto, he’s emblematic of this modern Lazio side and is a stalwart in the squad.
So yes, whilst it may be a shame that the 28-year-old is seemingly giving up on the chance for glory in Europe in order to earn a significant sum in Saudi Arabia, it doesn’t nullify the beautiful memories he’ll be leaving behind in Rome.
Twitter: @ApolloHeyes