The Australian marquee midfielder - man of the match in Victory's domineering 3-0 grand final win over Sydney FC eight days ago - has been offered a multi-million dollar two-season deal which will secure his financial future as he approaches his 30th birthday.
The club in question is believed to be Abu Dhabi-based Baniyas, which last year failed with a lucrative offer to land Milligan prior to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The Premiers' Plate and Championship winning Victory has worked feverishly behind the scenes to hold onto its talisman, but with Milligan informing coach Kevin Muscat he is keen to accept the offer, its hopes of keeping him have all but evaporated and will leave the club with a gaping hole to fill.
Victory may also have to accept its $1 million fee in installments in a development sure to further infuriate its hierarchy.
Milligan, who is also a key member of Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos squad, came close to leaving Victory for Crystal Palace in 2013 before the club vetoed the $1.2 million move to the English Premier League.
Despite signing as Victory’s Australian marquee until the end of the 2016-2017 season last August, he now feels the time is right to head to the Persian Gulf – though such a switch could possibly put his Australia spot in jeopardy.
Postecoglou named Milligan in his Socceroos squad on Monday for next month’s opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, but he is not an avid fan of the region as a base for his players.
Ironincally, the Socceroos will train for four days in Dubai before flying into Bishkek on 13 June.
