Real Madrid News
Saudi’s current transfer plan: Sign all Ballon d’Or winners
Shortly after Karim Benzema agreed to join Al-Ittihad ahead of the new season, Saudi Arabian clubs have stepped up their efforts to sign other big footballing stars across the world.
Al-Hilal, in particular, were hell-bent on securing the services of Lionel Messi. But after the Argentine opted to join Inter Miami, Saudi clubs have now set their sights on Luka Modric, reports Miguel Angel Diaz.
The Spanish journalist has claimed that Saudi Arabian clubs have increased their offer for Modric lately. They want to lure the veteran midfielder to the Middle East, as Real Madrid are yet to confirm any contract renewal with the player.
Diaz, in fact, claims the objective for these Saudi Arabian clubs is to sign all the recent Ballon d’Or winners. The project began with Al-Nassr signing of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the year.
Subsequently, Al-Hial tried to secure the services of Messi, though it did not work out. Al-Ittihad, on the other hand, were able to secure the services of Benzema, the most recent Ballon d’Or winner.
That leaves Modric as the final player these Saudi clubs could target. And it appears the operation is already on, with the clubs offering the midfielder a lucrative salary to lure him away from Santiago Bernabeu.
Modric has remained keen on continuing his spell at the Bernabeu for at least another month. But Real Madrid are yet to confirm the renewal, meaning the player’s future at the club is now uncertain, especially with Saudi clubs pushing forward to secure his services.
Modric’s renewal could be complicated by the fact that Real Madrid have roped in Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. Although it was suggested earlier that the Englishman’s arrival won’t impact the role of Modric and Kroos, the added incentive of earning a lucrative salary in Saudi Arabia might just tempt the veteran to jump ship this summer.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
