Amid plenty of interest from other teams, a Real Madrid star is now reportedly close to reuniting with former teammate Karim Benzema.
Nacho Fernandez has been a Los Blancos player for the entirety of his career, having joined the club's youth setup at the age of 10, but, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month, the defender will reportedly seek a new challenge.
Read: Messi makes major retirement declaration
It was previously suggested that the LALIGA giants had tabled a one-year extension for the veteran star to contemplate, but Fabrizio Romano claims the 34-year-old is close to agreeing a deal that would see him join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
It has been said that Nacho received multiple offers for his services, though he is said to not have considered anything that had come from European clubs.
"For Nacho it's clear: in Europe, only Real Madrid and nothing else," Romano said.
Get the latest soccer news and be ahead of the game. Follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link!
It is believed that the defender has been offered a two-year deal by the Saudi club. He will reportedly earn a whopping salary of €20 million (around R396 million) per year.
He is also said to have received an offer from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and had also previously been linked with a move to Major League Soccer.
His expected departure will come after a season in which he won three trophies while captaining Los Meringues. This includes a LALIGA title, a UEFA Champions League triumph – the sixth of his career – as well as a Spanish Super Cup.
Read: Nigeria chief promises major change after Bafana result
Over the course of his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, Nacho accumulated 26 major trophies and has made 364 appearances for Los Blancos, registering 16 goals and 10 assists.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.