The Saudi Super Cup drew more attention than on-field action, highlighting how the Saudi football market keeps chasing marquee players for the Saudi Pro League. This week, two players heard that familiar siren song from a club among the country’s wealthiest, and they are set to face off in the Copa del Rey derby at the Metropolitano this Thursday: Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Angel Correa, wearing red and white.
Four armed gunmen attacked the home of footballer Ángel Correa
Modric postponed last summer
The Madrid veteran has long attracted interest. Last summer he received a staggering offer that prompted thoughts of leaving Real Madrid. The Saudis reportedly proposed 200 million euros for three seasons, despite his being 38. A meeting with Ancelotti convinced him to renew for another season with the white club through June 2024.
Today the scenario has shifted. Modric has seen his role diminish in rotations managed by Carlo Ancelotti, though their relationship remains strong. That reduced prominence has prompted him to reconsider departure. He did not plan to move in January, yet the Saudis pressed to bring him in next season. That prospect now sits on the table as a real option. The player previously rejected the summer offer but left the door open to renegotiation in June, with Saudi clubs again confirming interest in acquiring him.
Modric was one of the most celebrated players during Real Madrid’s Super Cup matches in Riyadh. He started against Atlético and came off for Kroos in the 66th minute. In the final against Barcelona, the Croatian entered in the 80th minute, allowing Kroos a rest. He was warmly applauded by the Saudi fans, who eagerly welcomed a player considered among the world’s finest. At the moment, neither Real Madrid nor Modric are actively pursuing a move to Saudi Arabia.
Run, you can go now
One player who has not closed the door to a move to Arabia in the near future is Atlético Madrid forward Ángel Correa. The Argentine often occupies a secondary role in Simeone’s rotations, with Álvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann forming the preferred attacking trio, leaving Correa with limited minutes and a handful of domestic appearances this season. He has scored four goals in those appearances, totaling 549 minutes in league play.
Within this context, Correa’s market value has drawn the attention of potential suitors from the Saudi kingdom. The buzz positions Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad and Ramón Planes, the former Betis sporting director, as key names involved in conversations around Correa. Market chatter suggests that Benzema could return to Europe due to fan dissatisfaction and life adjustments, while Correa aligns with Planes’ preferences.
If Atlético accepts a bid meeting their reported asking price of around 30 million dollars, the transfer could be possible, with the Saudis remaining a serious option. Simeone has kept the door slightly ajar when asked about Correa’s departure, noting that the club always considers what is best for the team, the players, and the squad as a whole. The coach emphasised that important players can be tempted by what Arabia presents, and time will tell what proves right for everyone involved.
Correa, under contract with Atlético Madrid until 2026 and in his tenth season with the club, could seize an opportunity to sign a more lucrative deal elsewhere. At 28, he would find an economic package far beyond what he earned in Madrid. If a move materializes, Atlético may propose another Argentinian player who has impressed under Diego Pablo Simeone, Thiago Almada, a 22-year-old who starred for MLS side Atlanta United with 17 goals and 23 assists in 60 appearances. This potential swap adds another layer of intrigue to the winter market as clubs weigh strategic needs against financial considerations.