Luka Modric ‘is the next target for Saudi Arabian football – and could even link up with former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr’
- The reported bid to lure Luka Modric follows Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr
- Saudi Arabia’s football chiefs have reportedly come to Madrid to hold discussions
- Al-Nassr hopes to become the ‘Real Madrid’ of the Arab world, it has been reported
- Modric, 37, is said to be unmoved by lucrative offers at present
- The moves for the elite players follow their planned World Cup bid and purchase of Newcastle
Luka Modric is reportedly one of the next names being pursued by Saudi Arabia’s football chiefs in their bid to make the country one of the hubs of the global game.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr for an eye-watering £175m-per-year was confirmed last week with the country’s football chiefs hailing a new era for sport in the country.
Ronaldo’s ambitious – and ultimately successful – move after his acrimonious departure from Manchester United follows their plans to bid for the 2030 World Cup in a joint-bid with Greece and Egypt and the purchase of Newcastle United in 2021.
Luka Modric is reportedly being pursued by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr over a move
According to Marca, 37-year-old Modric is the next player targeted by the country – although it is said that his ambitions, for now, remain in the Spanish capital.
Al-Nassr is said to want to become the ‘Real Madrid’ of the Arab world and is said to be targeting Sergio Ramos this summer. Modric, they hope, will follow him next year.
Modric enjoyed another stunning World Cup campaign and was influential in Real Madrid’s fifth Champions League triumph in the last eight years last summer, feeling he still has something to offer in the elite game.
The Croatian has committed his future to Real Madrid until next summer and says he wants to stay longer
Modric, 37, put in a string of timeless World Cup performances as Croatia finished third
The Croatian signed a one-year extension with Real Madrid last summer after victory in Paris against Liverpool.
The Madrid-based Spanish publication said there would be no issue with trying to extend his contract for another year.
In fact, they suggest that it only takes ‘one look’.
The move for players to join their league comes in the context of their hopes of winning the World Cup in 2030. Qatar have done the same with the likes of Xavi Hernandez spending the last days of their career in country. Tim Cahill is also the director of Qatar’s center of excellence.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought Newcastle United in October 2021
Knowing they have the World Cup in 2026, however, the United States seems able to make more concrete preparation decisions ahead of the tournament.
The same report claims that Modric also has offers from MLS. Although, like Lionel Messi – who has reportedly agreed to stay at Paris Saint-Germain after this year – he feels he still has time left at the top of the game.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo could make his Al-Nassr debut as soon as this week.
Cristiano Ronaldo could make his debut for new club Al Nassr against Al Ta’ee on Thursday
Supporters pose with the shirt that Ronaldo will wear when he plays for the club
Although no date has yet been agreed regarding Ronaldo’s debut for the club, the Portuguese star is set to be available for Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al Ta’ee on Thursday.
With Al Nassr having to wait two weeks until they next host a match, the Saudi club will no doubt want Ronaldo to feature on Thursday before waiting two weeks to unveil the new superstar to their fans.
Should Ronaldo miss out against Al Ta’ee, he is likely to make his home debut against Ettifaq on January 21.
The out-of-form Portuguese international left Manchester United in November
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