Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder rejects offers from Saudi Arabia, America to continue at club
There has been a lot of talk over the future of Luka Modric lately, with the Saudi Arabian government reportedly offering the Real Madrid midfielder the opportunity to sign a bumper two-year contract worth €60 million, along with full tax exemption.
Modric’s current contract at Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of the season, meaning the midfielder will have the option to choose his destiny come the summer.
However, according to Diario AS, Modric is not tempted by the offers from Saudi Arabia or even MLS, for that matter. He is firm about continuing his career at Real Madrid for at least another season before he can take a more conclusive decision on his future.
Even at the age of 37, the veteran believes he has what it takes to continue at the highest level of football. His fitness levels suggest he can continue to be a crucial player for the Real Madrid first-team, and given his importance in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, the Croatian’s prolonged stay could be beneficial for the club as well.
Real Madrid are indeed willing to hand him another contract extension, which is in line with their policy of offering a maximum of one-year contracts to players above the age of 30.
Although the Whites do not traditionally keep hold of players as old as Modric, the Croatian international has shown he has the capability of remaining a crucial player for the team. As such, he would like to remain at the Bernabeu for another year.
Modric also wants to compete in the UEFA Nations League with Croatia and is even hoping to participate in the UEFA Euro in 2024, which will be played in Germany.
The 37-year-old, though, has no shortage of options should he opt to depart Real Madrid. Saudi Arabian giants are already after his signature while clubs from MLS have also sounded out the possibility of luring the midfielder across the Atlantic.
It hasn’t been a good week for Real Madrid, who look all set to relinquish their Spanish league title to arch-rivals Barcelona come the end of the season, following a narrow defeat to the Blaugrana at the weekend.
However, as Real Madrid enter the international break, there is some positive news for Carlo Ancelotti and his men.
As reported by Toni Juanmarti, Barcelona look set to miss out on their two star players in Ousmane Dembele and Pedri due to injury, ahead of the upcoming second-leg semifinal tie against Real Madrid, in Copa Del Rey.
Real Madrid are heading into this game with a 1-0 defeat in the first-leg, meaning they must beat Barça with a two-goal margin in order to book a place in the final. The absence of both Pedri and Dembele, to that end, could be a major boost for Ancelotti.
Pedri, who was expected to return to full fitness for the second leg, has suffered a relapse. It has set his return back to three or four weeks late, meaning the youngster will not return until the April 23 tie against Atletico Madrid.
The situation is not much different for Ousmane Dembele. The explosive attacker is recovering slower than expected and though he was tipped to return in the league game against Real Madrid this month, he remains a major doubt for this Copa Del Rey tie.
However, Barcelona did register a narrow victory over Los Blancos even without these two individuals, so the task is definitely cut out for Ancelotti and his men as they look to exact revenge against the Catalans in Copa Del Rey next month.
