16 December 2023 , 00:49
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Luka Modric's time at Real Madrid looks to be coming to an end after 12 trophy-laden years.
The veteran midfielder made the move to Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 and has gone on to win three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2018 after helping Croatia reach the World Cup final. Modric has regularly extended his stay at the Bernabeu by signing one-year deals in recent years, but it seems as though this season will be his last. According to Spanish outlet Diario Sport, Real have decided not to offer Modric another extension.
The report states that Modric's departure is 'seen as inevitable', although Real do want him to stay for the rest of the season. He was the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League over the summer before ultimately deciding to stay in Spain and is expected to be targeted again in January.
Modric's agent, Borja Couce, recently suggested he would be interested in a move to Saudi Arabia, telling Shoot: "Saudi clubs? This summer there was interest in Modric with the aim of signing him. The player has several offers, from a club from the capital and another club. Modric is currently thinking about Real Madrid, but the idea of him moving to the Saudi Pro League is possible if the offer is suitable."
However, Real do not want him to leave midway through the season and manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to persuade Modric to see out his current contract. The 38-year-old has not played a full 90 minutes in La Liga this season leading to some frustration, but Ancelotti has insisted he remains central to his plans.
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Real are not planning to extend Modric's contract (DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"It is quite surprising that Modric does not have the same role as in the past," he said in October. "He has played the first Champions League game, the derby… and he has not played the last two because there is a very strong competition. We have no problem with him and he doesn't have any problems with us. Sometimes I have to make decisions that are very difficult to take. I don't know how to explain it… it's just a technical decision that has happened.
"It can change… There is not much to explain because every game there is someone who stays in the game. There are 7 of us in midfield and only 4 can play. Also when I put up five midfielders on, you criticised me, so it's better to stay with four."