Luka Modric is reportedly set to turn down offers from the Saudi Pro League in order to remain at Real Madrid for at least one more season.
The 37-year-old joined the Spanish giants from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012 and has since featured over 450 times for Los Blancos, helping the club to three La Liga crowns and five Champions League titles.
Despite being a key part of Carlo Ancelotti's side last season, the Croatian started just 19 league matches - his lowest tally since the 2014-15 term in which he only made 16 starts.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Modric is set to stay at Real Madrid past this summer's transfer window despite interest in his services from the Saudi Pro League.
The report claims that the midfielder has snubbed a huge proposal from the Middle East in order to remain in Spain for at least another year, with the playmaker looking to regain the La Liga and Champions League trophies during his 13th season at the club.
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It is understood that discussions between the player and Los Blancos will result in Modric signing a one-year deal, and according to reports last month, Modric is hoping to retire at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have looked to bring down the average age of their midfield over the past year, most recently seen with the signing of former Birmingham City man Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Despite this clear planning for the long-term future of the team, Ancelotti's men have also worked to retain some of the players that have helped them to win five Champions League titles over the past decade, with veteran Toni Kroos putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club recently.
The German is four years younger than Modric at 33 but does not lack trophy-winning pedigree or experience, having played over 400 times for Madrid since moving from Bayern Munich in 2014.
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Los Blancos will have lost at least one player to the riches of the Saudi Pro League by the end of the window however after Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad, ending his successful 14-year stay in Spain.
With news of Liverpool's reported interest in Aurelien Tchouameni emerging, Real could be in an even greater need to keep Modric at the club in order to mentor the recently-arrived Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga.
Modric's retirement from international football is to be decided in the coming months after Croatia's loss to Spain in the final of the UEFA Nations League earlier in June, with the 37-year-old yet to win a major honour with his country.
Real Madrid have been quick to tie down important members of their first-team squad since the end of the campaign, with Dani Ceballos accompanying Kroos in extending his stay in the Spanish capital.
The 26-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Los Blancos after making 46 appearances for the club across all competitions during the 2022-23 term - the most in a single season for the Spaniard to date.
Carter White
