Chelsea did manage to put away Liverpool in their last Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. However, the start of the season has been far from satisfactory for Enzo Maresca and his team.
That is why the Blues might be preparing for a surprise change in their transfer strategy.
Chelsea have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League. But the Blues have been hit by several injuries in midfield this season.
Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo have both been sidelined. This leaves Enzo Maresca with limited senior options in the centre of the pitch.
For weeks, Chelsea played with just three recognised midfielders. And none of them were older than 24. This lack of experience has been noticeable in high-pressure matches.
Now, the club’s hierarchy seems willing to make an exception to their youth-focused transfer policy.
According to Corriere dello Sport (via TuttoMercatoWeb), Chelsea are monitoring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Al Hilal.
The Serbian midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the Saudi Pro League since joining from Lazio. He has contributed 30 goals and 26 assists in 102 appearances.
Al Hilal want to extend his deal. But as things stand, there is no agreement in place. That uncertainty has alerted several European clubs, including Chelsea and Juventus.
At 30 years old, Milinkovic-Savic would be a rare signing for Chelsea under the Boehly era.
If Chelsea manage to secure him for a reduced fee or even as a free agent next summer, it could prove an intelligent piece of business.
For now, Al Hilal remain determined to keep their star man. But with Chelsea and Juventus are waiting to see what happens next.
So, the future of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could soon become one of the key transfer sagas of 2026.
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