Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Hilal v Al Qadsiah - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - September 13, 2025 Al Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic reacts REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Chelsea are tracking Al-Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic whose contract expires next summer. The former Lazio talisman joined the Saudi Pro League club in 2023 on a three year deal and is now set to enter the free agent market in 2026.
Though his agent has already begun provisional talks over a contract extension at Al-Hilal, Italian publication Corriere dello Sport has reported that a host of clubs are ready to enter the race for his signature. Chelsea, as well as Juventus, Manchester City, and clubs in Turkey are all keen to add the experienced midfielder for free.
Milinkovic-Savic largely impressed during his 8-year star with Lazio. He became the highest-scoring midfielder in club history, overtaking Pavel Nedved. The Serbia international was on the list of several high profile clubs during his stint in Italy – with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all reportedly keen on his signature at various times.
On each occasion he signaled his loyalty to Lazio before ultimately leaving Europe all together for Saudi Arabia in 2023. Now 30 years of age, the player could decide to return to Europe for a final salvo at the top level.
Milinkovic-Savic could return to Europe
He will turn 31 before next summer, and could see his next contract as his last lucrative long term deal. He would leave Saudi Arabia with a full trophy cabinet, having captured the Saudi Pro League treble in his first season at the club (Saudi Pro League 2023/24, King’s Cup 2023/24, Saudi Super Cup 2023/24). Al-Hilal were beaten to the league title by Al-Attihad in the following season, but did repeat their Saudi Super Cup title.
The player may decide to add some major European silverware to this cabinet before hanging up his boots. Though he is a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana winner with Lazio, he may want to test himself at a club challenging for the Champions League and top domestic league titles.
He proved he is still on par with Europe’s elite when he played a big part in Al-Hilal’s run to the Quarterfinals of this summer’s Club World Cup where they defeated Man City in the Round of 16. They eventually fell to Brazilian side Fluminese in the following round.
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