Milinković-Savić Stays Put: Al Hilal Locks Down European Target with New Two-Year Deal

Two-year contract extension seals Milinković-Savić's future at Al Hilal

Al Hilal's board has taken a decisive step to safeguard the Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić, extending his stay for two more seasons as the Saudi champions seek to preserve stability and continue competing for trophies locally and continentally.

The decision followed weeks of talks between the club's leadership and head coach Simone Inzaghi, who insisted on keeping the player as a cornerstone of the team and a balance between midfield, defense, and attack.

Despite European interest in recent months, especially from Serie A giants Juventus, Milinković-Savić reaffirmed his commitment to Hilal, underscoring his readiness to pursue domestic and continental honors with the club.

Two-year renewal

According to the Saudi daily Al-Yawm, Hilal confirmed the two-year extension, with talks ongoing to finalise contract details. The decision reportedly follows Inzaghi's recommendation that the midfielder remains a stabilising force for the squad.

Milinković-Savić's current deal runs until the end of the season, and while he could have explored options from January, the club opted to block European temptations by securing him now inside the “blue house.”

The thinking mind in Hilal's midfield

Since arriving from Lazio in the summer of 2023, Milinković-Savić has established himself as one of the league's most influential midfielders, thanks to his vision, tempo control, and ability to marshal play.

Over two seasons, he has appeared in 102 matches across all competitions, contributing 30 goals and 26 assists.

This season, he has played six matches—four in the league and two in the AFC Champions League for the elite, scoring once and providing another assist.

European lures… loyalty blue

Even though reports linked him with a return to Europe, Milinković-Savić has not hidden his comfort within Hilal's corridors. His agent has stated that the client prioritises Hilal and feels valued by the club and its supporters, describing his Saudi experience as a different, respectful, and professional journey.

Nevertheless, Tuttosport hinted that Juventus still lists Milinković-Savić among their primary targets, seeking to strengthen the midfield with a seasoned European presence without breaking the bank, as part of a broader plan to rebalance football operations and finances.

The Italian outlet also noted that Juventus has been “gathering information” on the player, given that Milinković-Savić earns around €20 million per year in Saudi Arabia—an amount difficult for many European clubs to match.

The same reports recalled Milinković-Savić's early European ambitions, including a prominent spell with Lazio that yielded 341 appearances, 69 goals, and 58 assists, as recorded by Transfermarkt.

Yet Inzaghi's presence at the helm of Hilal has been pivotal in determining the player’s path, given their long-standing familiarity and the tactical flexibility he offers across midfield roles, contributing to the team’s structural coherence.

Return from injury and readiness for Al Ettifaq

Hilal recently announced Milinković-Savić's recovery from an injury, with the Serbian back to full training alongside Abdulrahman Al-Maliki after an intensive rehab during the international window.

He is expected to feature in the upcoming clash with Al Ettifaq, scheduled for Saturday at the Ego Stadium in Dammam, as part of the fifth round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League.

Hilal sit eighth in the standings with eight points from two wins and two draws, four points behind leaders, while Ettifaq are seventh with seven points, making the match a key early-season duel for progress in the table.

Historically, Hilal have a stronger record against Ettifaq in the league, seldom losing to the Dammam-based rivals in domestic clashes.

Two years of certainty, a strategic mind in midfield, and a potentially lucrative European chase ahead—Milinković-Savić's future seems as busy as his legs on match day.

Punchline time: If patience were a football person, Milinković-Savić would be the captain—he just licensed two more years of proven performance. Punchline two: Juventus may need a 'for sale' sign, but Hilal just installed a lifetime warranty on Milinković-Savić's legs. And yes, the only window this season will be the transfer window—to the fridge after a long training session.

To summarise: Milinković-Savić remains a centrepiece for Hilal, with Europe watching closely but the Saudi powerhouse ensuring the man who orchestrates play stays in blue for the foreseeable future.