Is The Real Madrid Star Move to Saudi Arabia League?

It turned out that Cristiano Ronaldo was just the start. Saudi Arabian football made waves earlier this year when Al-Nassr signed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner - but it was nothing compared to the tidal wave generated by a £700 million ($870m) summer spending spree that saw the likes of Karim Benzema and Neymar join Ronaldo in the Middle East.

With Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) both taking over and providing huge financial backing to four of the country's biggest clubs - Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad - the scale of the project became abundantly clear.

Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League's director of football, is not expecting the January transfer window to be "very busy", arguing that most of the competition's teams now "have what they need". However, the former Chelsea technical director admitted that any attempts to make "additions of the highest level" will be fully supported

Luka Modric signed a one-year contract extension last summer but there is no guarantee that the Croat will see out the season at the Santiago Bernabeu. The midfielder's agent has already admitted that his client is open to a January move.

"This summer there was interest [from Saudi clubs] in Modric with the aim of signing him," Borja Couce told Shoot last week. "The player has several offers, from a club from the capital and another club. Modric is currently thinking about Real Madrid but the idea of him moving to the Saudi Pro League is possible if the offer is suitable."

The ball is very much in PIF's hands now..