While many legends of the game have already made the switch to the Saudi Pro League in recent years, one Real Madrid superstar isn't ready to follow in their footsteps just yet.
According to a new report, Luka Modric is set to shun a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hihal, and will instead remain at Santiago Bernabeu for at least another season.
As per transfer guru Gianluca 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 Jude Bellingham joining Los Blancos this summer in a £103 million deal from Borussia Dortmund, it might have seemed like the ideal time for the Croatian to move on.
Advert
However, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti remaining fiercely loyal to the 37-year-old even amid personnel changes in midfield, Modric will surely remain an integral squad member for the 2023/24 campaign.
The former Ballon d'Or winner is far from the only big name linked with a summer transfer to Saudi this summer.
Indeed, the likes of Sadio Mane, N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez are all reportedly the subject of very lucrative offers from Arabian clubs.
Advert
In the case of Modric, a big reason for his decision to stay in Madrid for another year could be linked to the young nature of Real's next generation of midfielders. While the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham all have incredible potential, they each lack the invaluable experience that Modric and long-time midfield partner Toni Kroos have provided for the past decade or so.
Meanwhile, away from the club game, Modric has been demonstrating once again how much he still has to offer by helping Croatia qualify for the UEFA Nations League final.
The captain helped steer his nation past the Netherlands in the Semi-final after netting a decisive extra-time penalty to seal a 4-2 victory.
Advert
Modric and Croatia will have an opportunity to win their first piece of international silverware on Sunday evening (18 June) when they face Spain.
Topics: Luka Modric, Real Madrid, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema
Tom Fenton