Kroos, Modric snub Saudi league, Gerrard is on the plane  

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos is set to stay at Real Madrid. According to Sport Bild, the German midfielder was approached to join the ambitious project in Saudi Arabia, but has declined the offer.

The newspaper claims that Saudi clubs enquired about Kroos’ situation, with his contract due to expire at the end of the month.

The Madrid man declined the offer despite the fact that his contract renewal is yet to be made official by the Bernabéu outfit. “I can only talk about my case. I said a few weeks ago that everything is on track. It’s not my job to make things official, but everything is going very well. It’s up to the club to talk,” he said ahead of the first leg against Manchester City.

The Real Madrid No 8 was not the only 2014 World Cup winner with Germany to be offered football in Saudi Arabia. Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt) Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich) and Luka Modric have also been offered deals but they rejected offers.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has reportedly agreed to become the manager of Saudi outfit Al Ettifaq FC after a photo of him arriving in Damman was 'leaked'.

The former Liverpool star has been out of work since Aston Villa sacked him in October 2022.

He will replace Spanish boss Antonio Cazorla who was only appointed as caretaker manager in February after taking over from Frenchman Patrice Carteron.

The club finished 7th in the Saudi Pro League last season, 30 points behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and 35 points behind Champions Al-Ittihad.

Gerrard had been linked with the manager positions at Leicester City and Leeds United.

Al Ettifaq FC Gerrard's star players will include strikers Youssoufou Niakaté and Robin Quaison, who scored 14 goals between them last season.