“I will retire after one year, the No. 10 is yours” – Real Madrid star’s grandfather claims Luka Modric has offered shirt number to his son 

Real Madrid new-boy Arda Guler could be handed Luka Modric's No. 10 shirt as the Turkish youngster's father says that Modric informed the player about his retirement next year.

Guler has joined Madrid from Fenerbahce in a €20 million deal spanning six years. The 18-year-old has been dubbed the 'Turkish Messi', and Los Blancos fought off competition from Barcelona for his signature.

The teenage wonderkid donned the No. 10 jersey while at Fenerbahce. He caught fans, Madrid and Barca's eyes with scintillating performances, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in 51 games across competitions.

Guler has been handed the No.24 shirt by Real Madrid, but it may not be long until he goes back to his preferred No.10 according to his father. He says that Modric spoke to his son before his move and informed him he would be retiring next year (via Madrid Xtra):

“Modric called Arda and said: ‘I will retire after one year; the #10 will be yours’.”

Modric, 37, signed a new one-year deal with Real Madrid just last month. There was speculation that the Croatian midfielder may head to Saudi Arabia, but he put pen to paper on another season with Los Blancos.

However, Güler's father's comments suggest that the Madrid legend may be preparing to hang up his boots once his deal expires. He has become an icon at the Bernabeu during his 11-year stay in the Spanish capital.

Modric has bagged 37 goals and 77 assists in 488 games across competitions. He has won five UEFA Champions League, three La Liga, two Copa del Rey and the Ballon d'Or.

The Croatian icon was also reported to be pondering international retirement recently following Vatreni's UEFA Nations League final defeat to Spain. However, he has reportedly decided to continue with Croatia and likely participate in next year's European Championships.

Guler will be a success at the Bernabeu if he comes anywhere close to achieving the Croatian's accomplishments with Madrid. The Turkish teenager's stock has quickly grown, and he's being tipped as a future Los Blancos star.

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Real Madrid's Luka Modric turned down astronomical Saudi offer

The Croatian's heart lies with Real Madrid.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Modric turned down one of the biggest financial proposals in football history from Saudi Arabia. He said:

"Luka Modrie received one of the biggest salary proposals ever in football from Saudi Arabia. He decided to turn down the offer to stay at the club of his life."

The Saudi Pro League have been luring some of European football's biggest names to the Middle East. Real Madrid icons Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) and Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) will both now clash in Saudi.

However, Modric wasn't willing to follow suit, as his evident love for Madrid set in. Not even the riches of Saudi football could persuade the Croatian from departing the Bernabeu.