Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the latest star player who is reportedly hoping to leave Saudi Arabia just six months after he signed for Al-Hilal.
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Milinkovic-Savic joined Al-Hilal in €40m (£34m/$44m) dealReportedly told Lazio stars he wants to returnBenzema & Henderson also disillusioned in SaudiWHAT HAPPENED?
The midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League team from Lazio in July last year and has helped lift them to the top of the table, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in 16 matches. However, reports that the Serbia international met with his former Lazio team-mates at the Riyadh airport after their Supercoppa Italiana defeat against Inter last week, telling them that he wants to return to the Rome club.
AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE
Milinkovic-Savic is not the first big name said to have grown disillusioned with his time in the Middle East just months after being lured to the Pro League with a lucrative contract. Jordan Henderson has already left Al-Ettifaq to join Ajax this month, while Karim Benzema is also reported to be looking for a way out due to a feud with Al-Ittihad.
DID YOU KNOW?
Al-Hilal paid €40 million (£34m/$44m) to sign Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio last year and it has been reported that his three-year contract came with a €20m (£17m/$22m) salary. He overlooked interest from the likes of Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea to join the Riyadh club.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MILINKOVIC-SAVIC?
There will be no shortage of clubs interested in signing the 28-year-old from Al-Hilal, but he will likely have to accept a huge pay cut and hope that his current team are willing to let him go despite him agreeing to stay until 2026.