Savic's Saudi Standoff: European Clubs Circle as Al Hilal Weighs Renewal
3 octobre 2025
Contract status and European interest
The Serbian midfielder Serge Milinkovic-Savic's agent has revealed the truth behind European clubs' offers to sign him in the near future.
Savic's contract with Al Hilal runs until the end of this season, and he has yet to reach an agreement on a new deal, amid talk that the former Lazio star could return to Serie A on a free transfer next summer.
Saudi daily Al-Yawm, citing Savic's agent, reported that recent hours have seen contact from several European clubs to begin formal talks for a summer signing.
The agent added that negotiations have been paused on the offers while awaiting the proposal Al Hilal could present to renew his contract.
According to the same source, Savic wants to stay with Al Hilal despite links to Juventus, as he feels comfortable in his spell with the club that began in summer 2023.
Impact, performance, and future outlook
Savic has played 102 games for Al Hilal, scoring 30 goals and making 26 assists, and was a cornerstone in clinching several titles under former coach Jorge Jesus, now with Al Nassr.
He joined Al Hilal in summer 2023 from Lazio after years in Italian football, a blend of physical power and technical skill, plus vast experience in continental and international matches, making him a standout addition to strengthen the midfield.
Savic is a fundamental piece of the Hilal lineup, especially alongside Ruben Neves and Salem Al-Dosari, providing balance between defense and attack, and relieving the back line with his ball-winning and quick recoveries.
His influence goes beyond the technical, reflecting his stature and the ambition to keep Al Hilal as a leading force in Asia. His presence lifts teammates and gives the coach more tactical flexibility.
Worries about his departure extend beyond losing a player who has adapted quickly; negotiations for new signings—like the Victor Osimhen bid— showed willingness to pay big money but were not concluded.
Moreover, Al Hilal faces the risk of a star exodus if they let Savic leave, a situation that also affects Ruben Neves, whose contract ends this season and who has previously expressed a desire to return to Porto.
The club must present a convincing project to keep stars, with clear targets and major signings that ensure future success locally and continentally, while the current group has achieved local triumphs and now eyes continental ambitions.
Punchline 1: Negotiations move slower than a sniper’s coffee break—precision takes time, and apparently so does a renewal.
Punchline 2: If this summer’s transfer story were a sniper joke, the target would be “the deal”—appears on the radar, then vanishes after a season of suspense.
