Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder has interest from clubs in three leagues, prefers the MLS
Luka Modric is on his way out of Real Madrid and will leave the club after the FIFA Club World Cup next month, not out of his own choice but because the administration did not offer him a renewal.
He departs as the club’s most decorated player in history and could well add another title to his name before he leaves. Yet, it remains unknown as to what the player’s next step will be.
Modric is still a fine player and far from done in the game. It is thus unlikely that he will consider retirement, especially considering that he wishes to play the best FIFA World Cup, and will likely sign for a team in a lower-ranked league.
The options on his table
As relayed by FootMercato in a recent report, the Croatian star has several options on his table including from Brazil, the United States and the Middle East.
Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia are interested in his signing for starters and offer the player great wages as is the norm in their league.
Concurrently, however, Inter Miami from the MLS are also pushing to sign Modric and the veteran also has offers from clubs in Brazil to join South American football.
As it stands, however, the player’s family prefer a move to the US over other options, although nothing can be ruled out yet. The MLS currently appears to be in pole position to land Modric.
Should the Real Madrid legend sign for Inter Miami, he will link up with some of the greats of Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona for the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are all at the US based club.
Needless to say, it will be fascinating to watch him team up with the players he warriored against for a decade.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
