As the Saudi Pro League clubs continue to go after the European stars from the previous generation, they have found themselves turned down by yet another big name in Luka Modric, according to reports.
The Croatian midfield maestro is a free agent at the moment, having played under a lucrative contract for 11 seasons. In that time, he has won five UEFA Champions League trophies and two LaLiga titles. He is one of the club’s most decorated players and is a modern icon at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Even at 37, Modric continues to dazzle in the Los Blancos jersey alongside the increasingly young team that surrounds him. He is now the oldest player by age at the club but is still a fan favourite. The management of the club, however, have shown signs that they are ready to move on from the glory days of Modric, having acquired a young new midfield of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and most recently, Jude Bellingham, in the past two years.
Modric’s presence in the side is now that of a legendary mentor to the up-and-coming generation of midfielders for the club and that time could be up as his contract has expired. This has led Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli SC to tempt him with an offer of €80 million to call it quits on his European career.
Reports claim that Modric has rejected the offer because he only wants to continue at Real Madrid for at least one more season.
The Croatian, who is now with his national teammates at the Croatia camp ahead of the UEFA Nations League games, is also believed to be a target for Al-Hilal, who failed to convince Lionel Messi with a €1 billion offer. The Riyadh-based team are preparing a €130 million offer for Modric which will be presented to his representatives in the coming days.
Marca believes that one of Modric’s reasons is to be able to leave after playing in front of the full Santiago Bernabeu crowd for one last season as the stadium’s remodelling is close to completion.
However, the delay in getting a contract signed could see Modric, who turns 38 in September, begin to consider his career and if it will be worth it to continue as a footballer or at Madrid.
Some reports claim that all is well with the signing of an extension and that he will put pen to paper once his national team duties are over.
