Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Luka Modric will not be leaving the club in the latter stages of the transfer window.
The experienced midfielder was linked with a move away from Bernabeu earlier this summer before it was confirmed that he had agreed a 12-month extension with the Spanish giants, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 37-year-old has not started this season in the first XI, though, with Ancelotti using Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos ahead of him.
Modric's two appearances against Athletic Bilbao and Almeria have come off the bench in the latter stages, leading to claims that he is unhappy with his situation.
There have been suggestions that a number of Saudi Arabian clubs are keeping an eye on the developments, but Ancelotti has ruled out a late departure for the Croatian.
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"Luka has already defined his future. He has no problem, he will contribute. It's a special situation for everybody, for him it's strange not to play from the first minute but he will contribute as always," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference to preview Friday's game with Celta Vigo.
Modric was again a vital player for Real Madrid last season, making 52 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and registering six assists in the process.
The Croatian now has 490 appearances for the Spanish giants to his name, while he has been key to the team's success in recent years.
When asked whether any player could leave Real Madrid before the end of the window to move to Saudi Arabia, Ancelotti said: "I think our squad is closed and our players are thinking about our season. Someone may change his mind but I am not afraid of that."
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Valverde, Tchouameni and Camavinga are expected to start as the midfield three on Friday, with Bellingham operating in the position behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Ancelotti used Valverde as a wide forward on a number of occasions last season, but the Italian has said that the change of formation is benefiting the Uruguay international.
"I think the system, his position has changed a little bit. He plays further back than he did last year. That can help him more," he said.
"He sees more of the field and has understood perfectly well that for him to play one-two touch is not his quality, he drives, he has an extraordinary quality running with the ball and he has to take advantage of that."
Real Madrid will again be missing five players for their clash against Celta, with Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and Arda Guler on the sidelines.
Matt Law
