Sergej Milinkovic-Savic set to join Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal | OneFootball

Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will join Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for €40 million this summer, according to Alfredo Pedulla.

The central midfielder had one year left on his deal, and the Roman club wanted to sell him.

The 28-year-old will leave Europe and head for the Middle East, where he will join Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Both players left the Premier League for the Gulf nation this summer as part of Saudi Arabia’s drive to attract more interest in their domestic league.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante are among the players who have moved to Saudi and more will follow.

Milinkovic-Savic is the latest star player to accept the move and will sign a three-year deal with Al-Hilal.

The Serbian has grown into a top-class Serie A midfielder since joining the Italian side from Genk in 2015. He has made 341 appearances for Lazio, bagging 69 goals and 59 assists.

Milinkovic-Savic tallied nine goals and eight assists in Serie A last season to help Maurizio Sarri’s side earn Champions League qualification.

Milinkovic-Savic became a Serbian international while representing the Biancocelesti and has earned 43 caps for the European nation. He has netted seven goals and registered eight assists for the national team.

Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito decided to sell the midfielder to Saudi Arabia for €40m despite rejecting a €140 million offer from AC Milan a few years ago. The 66-year-old said he does not regret the decision.

Juventus showed interest in Milinkovic-Savic this summer but could not stump up the money to meet Lotito’s demands. Milan also considered him but decided to move for less expensive midfield options.

Lazio already searching for replacements for the midfielder. They have set their sights on Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski who Sarri knows from his time with the Partenopei.