LALIGA
Real Madrid CEO rejects suggestions Luka Modric will leave for Saudi Arabia in January
The Croat, who was seen with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham in the summer, has slipped down the pecking order in Madrid.
Much has been made of Luka Modric’s lack of game time this season, to such an extent that there has been plenty of speculation that his time at Real Madrid could be about to come to an end. However, club CEO José Ángel Sánchez has firmly denied a January move to Saudi Arabia is on the cards for the 38-year-old, who has also been linked with a move to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Modric’s reduced role at Real Madrid
The Croatian has been the chief string-puller in the Madrid midfield for over 11 years, winning three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues in that time. Despite his advancing years, he appeared to have been given assurances that he would still have an important role to play this season but has started only four of Los Blancos’ 11 matches in all competitions and played an average of just 41 minutes per game.
Croat “just wants to play”
During the recent international break, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner was asked how he felt about his new reduced role and didn’t seem to be especially impressed.
“Well, it’s certainly a new situation for me not to play as much as before and as much as I’d like. You know I always want to play, I don’t want to have breaks, I don’t want to have vacations, I just want to play. I love it”.
“I don’t want to be left out. I just want to play, every 3 days if need be, because I feel good physically [...] Everything that happens around me is part of a normal process, so I just accept it. I have to mentally prepare myself for this situation. Accept it and move on”.
Los Blancos “not planning” on letting Modric leave for Saudi Arabia
And it appears as if Modric will have to “accept it and move on”, with Sánchez telling Goal Arabia that Madrid aren’t open to the midfielder leaving in January for Saudi Arabia or anywhere else.
“We haven’t had any official talks with Saudi Pro League officials about Luka in January. We’re not planning on letting him leave the club at the moment.”
With the Croat out of contract next summer, there does appear to be a reasonable chance of him moving on then, especially if he continues to warm the bench more often than not. Could Saudi Arabia be on the cards in June, or will he be next to be tempted by Miami? Modric was spotted with Herons co-owner David Beckham while on holiday in Croatia in the summer.