Melbourne Victory’s Mark Milligan could join Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli in January transfer window

MELBOURNE Victory marquee player Mark Milligan could be headed to Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli in this January transfer window.

Victory are reluctant to lose Milligan again. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE Victory marquee player Mark Milligan could be headed to Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli in this January transfer window.

Milligan, who signed for Victory after an English Championship deal fell through in July due to work permit issues, had planned on seeing out the season with Victory.

But Al Ahli have come hard for the Socceroo in the last few days, submitting a formal offer to Victory on Friday with the A-League club showing resistance.

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Victory are reluctant to lose Milligan again. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Victory entrenched itself in the top four with Friday’s 3-0 win away to Western Sydney, a month out from the start of their Asian Champions League campaign, with Milligan playing a key role in midfield.

It’s understood that the player is keen on pursuing the offer with Al Ahli coach, former Ukraine and Tottenham striker Sergei Rebrov determined to slot Milligan into his star-studded team that includes Syrian striker Omar Al-Soma and Saudi star Taisir Al-Jassim.

Victory could net a transfer fee in excess of $300,000 for Milligan, with Al Ahli making the player a lucrative contract offer for the rest of the Saudi Pro League season.

“We will reveal our new foreign players within 48 hours. We’re very close to signing Australian player Milligan,” Al-Ahli president Prince Fahd bin Khale said on Saudi TV.

Milligan, 32, has been a cash-cow for Victory, who sold him to UAE club Baniyas for $1 million in 2015 after his man of the match performance in the grand final win over Sydney FC.

He is out of contract at the end of the season and conjecture remains about Milligan’s future beyond this season at Victory, with the second year of James Troisi’s deal rising into marquee status while Besart Berisha has also re-signed on virtual marquee wages.

It is believed that Victory is yet to table Milligan an offer for 2018-19.

This is not the first time that Milligan’s future has been a point of conjecture at Victory, with Ange Postecoglou blocking a “dream” move to Crystal Palace in 2013.

Milligan also had two previous offers from Baniyas rejected before they triggered his release clause with the seven-figure offer.

The Milligan interest has overshadowed Victory’s stunning win at ANZ Stadium, with Besart Berisha’s strike sandwiched by a Kosta Barbarouses brace.

“It took us a while to break them down but right at the death we’re still creating chances.

“We had very good opportunities to increase the goals for (column).”