Mitrovic returns to Premier League? If Al Hilal finalizes Osimhen move...

Aleksandar Mitrovic, the prolific Serbian striker currently playing for Al Hilal, is reportedly attracting significant interest from Premier League clubs, sparking speculation about a potential return to English football. talkSPORT understands that West Ham, Everton, and Manchester United are all monitoring the situation, with a potential transfer fee hovering around £40 million.

Mitrovic, 30, has enjoyed a successful spell in Saudi Arabia, scoring an impressive 68 goals in 79 appearances since his £50 million move from Fulham in 2023. However, Al Hilal's focus on bolstering their squad with high-profile signings ahead of the Club World Cup means they may need to offload some existing stars to adhere to foreign player quotas.

Al Hilal is actively pursuing a deal for Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who is reportedly open to a move to Saudi Arabia. There has even been speculation, albeit dismissed as "science fiction" by the club's CEO in December, about a potential loan move for Cristiano Ronaldo to Al Hilal for the Club World Cup. While Ronaldo is discussing a two-year extension with Al Nassr, Al Hilal's pursuit of new attacking talent opens the door for Mitrovic's departure.

talkSPORT reports that Al Hilal is prepared to either sell or loan Mitrovic, but they are prioritizing securing a replacement before sanctioning any move. This means potential suitors will need to exercise patience.

Among the interested clubs, Manchester United's interest has intensified following their failure to secure Liam Delap. While their primary target remains Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, his willingness to join a club without European football is uncertain, and United's current financial situation requires outgoings before significant incomings.

Mitrovic himself is reportedly willing to accept a pay cut to facilitate a return to the Premier League. Al Hilal is yet to receive any formal bids but anticipates offers and is prepared to engage in discussions once they have secured a new number nine. A return to Fulham, Mitrovic's former club, is not expected.

The potential transfer of Mitrovic aligns with a broader trend in Saudi football, where clubs are aiming to demonstrate a two-way transfer market. Al Ahli’s Gabri Veiga's impending £14 million move to Porto exemplifies this, showcasing how Saudi clubs are becoming more self-sufficient by strategically buying and selling players, protecting and even increasing their value.