The 32-year-old former Victory, Jets and Hajduk Split defender, currently playing for Melbourne Knights in the VPL, is currently said to be closing in on a deal abroad.

A Chinese club and the MLS are all thought to be in the mix.

However au.fourfourtwo.com can confirm there’s been contact between the player and the Jets with the club edging closer to offering a return for their former defensive lynchpin and fan favourite.

The former Australian national team defender, UEFA Champions League and Europa League player is understood to have support from the Jets board and coach Gary Van Egmond for a return to the club.

There is also understood to be strong support within the playing group for the powerful central defender to come back in.

And with a more mature approach to his game and life, a remarkable return to the Jets may still happen in the coming days and weeks.

Last week Milicevic broke his silence with a candid interview with FourFourTwo which revealed a more mature player who is enjoying his football and life.

“It's taken me a while to get the body right after being at Hajduk and things going a little bit downhill,” he said.

“It took me a while to recover, my body's great now. My knees are great and it took about six months of a slow build-up of rehab but I feel great, I'm playing every game, I'm backing up, there's no residual soreness, or aches and pains.

"I feel as though I'm going to play for the next five years, at least.”

Milicevic is helping the Knights’ title surge in Victoria but could be a vital cog in bringing back defensive stability at the Jets, who have also signed Socceroo Nathan Burns to their roster for the coming season.