Several players who left Serie A and Europe to move to Saudi Arabia are nearing the end of their original contracts. A few of them are itching to head back. The exodus could start in January already, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

Ruben Neves, who joined Al-Hilal after playing for Porto and Wolverhampton, is on Manchester United’s radar. Former Inter icon Marcelo Brozovic, who’s at Al-Nassr currently, is drawing interest especially from Trabzonspor.

Kalidou Koulibaly could depart Saudi Arabia to return to the Old Continent and is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen. Some Italian teams would seriously consider him too if he were to become available. Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema could flee Al-Ittihad and is at the top of Fenerbahce’s wish list.

Merih Demiral and Musa Barrow, who have both played for multiple Serie A sides, might leave Al Ahli and Al Tawoon, respectively. Milan poked around the defender last summer.

Franck Kessié and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have both been linked to Juventus. Their exits are more likely in the summer than in the next window. Al-Hilal recently offered the Serbian talisman a renewal until 2028, increasing his wages, to avoid a Bosman departure.

Our Take on the Saudi Arabia Players

Footballers who spent time in the Peninsula do tend to find their way back eventually near the tail end of their career. Serie A has yet to lure back one of those who transferred to the Middle East. Most are over the hill, but there are a pair of interesting options, provided they ask for reasonable wages and their level of motivation is adequate. Chances are, most will stay where they are, perhaps switching clubs or countries.