Modric rejects $200 million offer from Saudi Arabia

Midfielder Luka Modric has rejected a season salary offer of more than $200 million from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal to stay with Real Madrid.

According to Sky Sports Italy , Modric was offered a three-year contract with a 200 million euro ($220 million) annual salary from Al Hilal. This is the same income as his two former teammates Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) in Saudi Arabia.

Real are said to be ready to let Modric leave on a free after completing a $142 million deal for Jude Bellingham from Dortmund.

Modric at the ceremony to announce his contract extension with Real last summer. Photo: AFP — Modric at the ceremony to announce his contract extension with Real last summer. Photo: *AFP*

But according to Spanish newspaper AS , Modric rejected Al Hilal because he wanted to continue playing for Real in the 2023-2024 season. The 37-year-old midfielder was worried that his future at the Bernabeu was over when the club continuously recruited potential young midfielders, such as Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and most recently Bellingham. However, president Florentino Perez spoke directly with Modric to ease the situation.

"With passion, ambition and the desire to continue fighting for titles with Real, Modric will continue for another season. Modric has never had problems negotiating a contract extension with Real," AS wrote.

Modric will return to Madrid to sign a one-year contract extension after Croatia play Spain in the UEFA Nations League final in Rotterdam, Netherlands today. In the semi-finals, the 37-year-old midfielder played 119 minutes, scoring once as Croatia beat the Netherlands 4-2.

The midfielder, born in 1985, joined Real from Tottenham in the summer of 2012, scoring 37 and assisting 77 goals in 488 matches in all competitions, winning three La Liga, two Copa del Reys, four Spanish Super Cups, five Champions Leagues, four European Super Cups and five FIFA Club World Cups. He also broke the dominance of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or.

Before Modric, Messi also rejected a contract worth over $400 million from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal Club, to move to Inter Miami of the US Major League Soccer (MLS). Striker Romelu Lukaku also rejected a contract with a $22 million annual salary from Al Hilal, and demanded a salary of $100 million.

Conversely, N'Golo Kante, Neymar, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez could follow Ronaldo and Benzema to the Middle Eastern country.

Hong Duy

Source link