Arsenal’s quest to revitalise their midfield may take an intriguing turn with the potential signing of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Once a sought-after target, Milinkovic-Savic’s sojourn in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal has reignited Arsenal’s interest as he seems to desire to return to European football.
Arsenal’s midfield revamp might just have a familiar face in the mix: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian powerhouse, now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal, is reportedly itching for a return to European football, throwing him back into the orbit of the Gunners.
Remember last summer? Milinkovic-Savic’s name was swirling around the Emirates with Arsenal keen on adding his dynamism and goalscoring threat to their midfield. But a mammoth €40 million a year salary at Al-Hilal proved too tempting, whisking him away to the riches of the Saudi league.
Fast forward to now, and whispers of discontent are emerging. Milinkovic-Savic, it seems, craves the bright lights of Europe again. And that’s where Arsenal come back in, potentially armed with an offer and a midfield project tailor-made for him.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar are on a mission to overhaul Arsenal’s engine room, building around the newly acquired Declan Rice. Jorginho’s age and Thomas Partey’s frustrating injury woes have exposed the need for a younger, more robust core. While players like Zubimendi and Fernández are enticing prospects, Milinkovic-Savic’s blend of power and finesse remains a tantalising option.
Of course, the elephant in the room is that hefty salary. Both Arsenal and Juventus, another club reportedly interested, will need to navigate some creative accounting to lure Milinkovic-Savic away from his golden cage. The player himself might also hesitate to walk away from such financial security.
But the allure of Champions League nights under the Emirates floodlights, competing for trophies, and playing alongside Rice in a midfield hungry for success could hold considerable sway. Milinkovic-Savic, at 28, is entering his prime, and the chance to cement his legacy in Europe might be too strong to resist.