Newcastle United are reportedly ready to table a huge contract offer worth €16 million per year for Luka Modric to lure him to Tyneside.
According to a fresh report from Defensa Central, Newcastle United have allegedly set their sights on Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric and are preparing a dizzying offer to secure the services of the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner.
Modric has enjoyed a stellar career at the Spanish capital club, winning four Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. Regarded as one of the finest playmakers in the world, Modric is a true Galactico and boasts a legendary status at the club. In total, he has made 405 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos, scoring 28 goals and registering 65 assists.
Last season, Modric extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2022, but he accepted a salary cut due to the club’s financial stress following the pandemic, and his annual wage packet is now understood to be under €10 million.
The 36-year-old midfielder is unhappy with Real’s policy of only offering one-year deals to players over 30 and is eyeing a return to the Premier League if talks of a renewal with Los Merengues collapse. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Newcastle United have been mentioned as possible destinations for the Croatian international.
With their newfound wealth under the Saudi regime, Newcastle could swoop in during the January window to steal him away from the Spanish giants by offering them the chance to get a fee for their asset rather than losing him for free next summer. The Magpies are ready to double the salary that the Croatian currently pockets at Madrid and are ready to table a lucrative deal until 2024 worth up to €16 million in annual wages.
Despite entering the twilight years of his career, Modric is ageing like a fine wine and has shown no signs of regress. In fact, he played 48 games for Real Madrid last season, the most in his career in a single campaign and was one of La Liga’s standout players, providing five goals and three assists from the middle of the park.
Signing someone with Modric’s pedigree would be a massive coup for the Magpies. Not only would it be a statement signing that could potentially convince other players to join the mega-money project, but Modric brings with him a wealth of top-level experience and winning mentality, which will raise the standards in the dressing room and ultimately help Newcastle to rise from their current predicament.
Landing Modric would indeed boost the club’s profile on a global scale and be a sign of better things to come in the near future. However, it is very unlikely that Modric will join Newcastle. He is still at the top of his game, and a move to a relegation-threatened Newcastle, who are currently rock-bottom in the Premier League, would be a big step down regardless of the riches involved.
Moreover, Modric’s top priority is to stay at Real Madrid and sign a new deal. He has rejected offers from other clubs despite entering the final seven months of his contract, demonstrating his loyalty to the Merengues. Only time will tell whether the 36-year-old leaves Real Madrid next summer or ends up extending his deal.