Luka Modric has reportedly turned down a £200 million offer in order to accompany Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League
Despite several football legends making the move to the Saudi Pro League in recent years, it appears that one superstar from Real Madrid is not yet prepared to follow suit.
According to a recent report, Luka Modric has decided to turn down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Instead, he is expected to continue his tenure at Santiago Bernabeu for at least another season.
As per transfer guruGianluca Di Marzio, the three-year contract offer is worth an estimated £200 million and would have seen him join former Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in next season’s Saudi Pro League.
With the arrival of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid this summer in a £103 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund, one might have assumed that it was the opportune moment for Luka Modric to consider moving on from the club.
Despite the arrival of Jude Bellingham and potential midfield changes, head coach Carlo Ancelotti continues to show unwavering loyalty to Luka Modric, cementing his position as a vital member of the squad for the upcoming 2023/24 season.
While Modric remains committed to Real Madrid, there are several other high-profile players who have been linked with lucrative moves to Saudi Arabian clubs during the summer transfer window.
Notable names such as Sadio Mane, N’Golo Kante, and Riyad Mahrez have reportedly received substantial offers from Arabian clubs.
Modric’s decision to stay at Real Madrid for another year may be influenced by the young and promising midfielders emerging at the club.
While players like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham possess immense potential, they lack the invaluable experience that Modric and his long-time midfield partner Toni Kroos have accumulated over the past decade or so.
Furthermore, Modric continues to showcase his enduring value on the international stage.
He played a crucial role in helping Croatia qualify for the UEFA Nations League final, including scoring a decisive extra-time penalty in their 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in the semi-final.
Modric, as the captain, will have the opportunity to lead his nation to their first international trophy when Croatia faces Spain in the final on Sunday evening (18 June). It demonstrates that he still has a lot to offer both at the club and international level.