Al-Nassr and Saudi Arabia football chiefs were in Madrid to follow up on Luka Modric’s signing.

Luka Modric is reportedly one of the next names to be pursued by Saudi Arabian football bosses in a bid to make the country one of the epicenters of global football.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr for a staggering £175m-a-year was confirmed last week as the country’s football chiefs hailed a new era for the sport in the country.

The ambitious – and ultimately successful – move to land Ronaldo following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United follows their plans to bid for the 2030 World Cup in a joint bid involving Greece and Egypt and the purchase of Newcastle United in 2021 .

Luka Modric is reportedly being pursued by Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr chiefs over a move

According to Marca, Modric, 37, is the next player to be targeted by the country – although his ambitions are set to remain in the Spanish capital for the time being.

Al-Nassr is said to be aiming to become the ‘Real Madrid’ of the Arab world and reportedly has Sergio Ramos in his sights this summer. Modric, they hope, would follow him next year.

Modric enjoyed another impressive World Cup tournament and after influencing Real Madrid’s fifth Champions League win in the last eight years last summer, feels he still has something to offer to the elite game.

The Croatian has committed his future at Real Madrid until next summer and is said to be looking to stay longer

37-year-old Modric produced a series of timeless performances at the World Cup as Croatia finished third

The Croatian signed a one-year extension at Real Madrid last summer shortly after defeating Liverpool in Paris.

The Madrid-centric Spanish publication say there will be no problem extending his contract for another year.

In fact, they suggest it would only take “one look.”

The players’ move to join their league is linked to their hopes of winning the World Cup in 2030. Qatar did the same with players like Xavi Hernandez who spent the last days of their career in the country. Tim Cahill is also Director of the Qatar Center of Excellence.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought Newcastle United in October 2021

However, knowing they have the 2026 World Cup, the United States appears to be in a position to make more concrete decisions about pre-tournament preparations.

The same report claims that Modric also has offers from MLS. However, like Lionel Messi, who has reportedly agreed to stay at Paris Saint-Germain beyond this year, he feels he still has time at the top of the game.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, could make his Al-Nassr debut as early as this week.

Cristiano Ronaldo could make his debut for new club Al Nassr on Thursday against Al Ta’ee

Fans have posed with the shirt Ronaldo will wear when he plays for the club

Although no date has been set for Ronaldo’s debut for the club, the Portuguese star is said to be available for Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al Ta’ee on Thursday.

With Al Nassr having to wait two weeks before they host the next game, the Saudi club will no doubt want Ronaldo there on Thursday before having to wait two weeks to show fans off the new superstar.

Should Ronaldo miss out against Al Ta’ee, he is likely to make his home debut against Ettifaq on January 21.

The unsettled Portugal international left Manchester United in November