Why would he say no? Al-Hilal splash $165 million on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic!

Long gone are the days when the rich Saudis could only attract ageing stars for huge amounts to their football league. In mid-2023, even players in their twenties can't say no to breathtaking payments offered in the Middle East.

The latest in the seemingly never-ending list of players prepared to throw away the so-called serious football for the "casual" football in Saudi Arabia is Lazio's long-serving midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The 28-year-old Serbian international is poised to join Al-Hilal in a deal which would cost the Saudi Pro League club around $165 million in transfer fees and wages.

Various sources differ regarding SMS's salary, but he'll be earning between $20 million and $30 million per season - around five times more than what he was earning in Italy. So, the question for all the doubters would be: exactly how and why would a player refuse the offer to have his already huge salary increased by 500 per cent?

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Juventus has long been considered a potential new club for the Serbian playmaker, but a move to Turin -- or anywhere else in Europe for that matter -- now seems off the table. Instead, Milinkovic-Savic has got a dream offer, and all that remains is for the contract to be signed.

Lazio stand to pocket around $40 million for the deal - which is an excellent piece of business for a player entering the final year of his existing contract.

It's payday!