A Real Madrid superstar has now reportedly received a mouthwatering offer worth $214 million (R4.1 billion) to leave the club and join another team.
The Spanish giants currently have seven players who are out of contract at the end of June, including veterans Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.
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It remains unclear if any of them will sign contract extensions, despite the club essentially having nothing else to play for this season after missing out on the LaLiga and UEFA Champions League titles.
Their soon-to-be free agents have no shortage of potential suitors, though, with Benzema now said to have been approached with a very lucrative deal.
According to Al Arabiya, Al Ittihad have made a two-year offer worth $214 million to the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner.
The reports claims that the 35-year-old initially turned down a first approach from the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League champions, but he is now considering the move after the club increased their bid.
It is said that Real are yet to make any attempt to renew the Frenchman's stay in Madrid thus far, thus creating serious uncertainty over the 35-year-old's future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A report by The Athletic also claims that there are differences between manager Carlo Ancelotti and the club's hierarchy over the centre-forward position, and who they should sign in the coming months.
It is said the Italian boss wants to sign a top-class No. 9 in the next transfer window, with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen seen as the sort of profile the tactician is looking for.
However, Los Merengues are said to want cheaper alternatives to replace Benzema for the short term, with a view to bringing in one of Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in 2024 as a "Galactico" signing.
Real's cheaper options reportedly include Joselu of Espanyol and Roberto Firmino, whose exit from Liverpool as a free agent was recently confirmed.
Following Real's 2-1 win over Sevilla on the weekend, Ancelotti was asked about one of the aforementioned stars, and admitted that they are indeed considering a few options for the position, per Goal.
"Joselu? I like him a lot, I also like [Iago] Aspas and [Alvaro] Morata," the 63-year-old responded.
"I like those who score goals. We are working on this. I won't say names of our targets now."
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