It has been reported that MLS’ newest expansion team, San Diego FC, has started to monitor the contractual situations of former Real Madrid players with the idea of recreating the ‘El Clásico’ rivalry in the United States.
Real Madrid 2.0: San Diego FC linked to Ramos, Modrić and more
According to Juanfe Sanz Pérez, reporter for El Chiringuito in Spain, the new California franchise has become interested in signing Sergio Ramos, Luka Modrić, Nacho Fernández and Keylor Navas — all players who become free agents this summer.
San Diego FC, with the plan to recreate Spain’s biggest rivalry, would contemplate these legendary players to compete directly and create a new rivalry with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
“They want to compete with Inter Miami… Inter Miami is considered the ‘FC Barcelona in the United States’ and there is still a Real Madrid missing,” Pérez said.
“San Diego FC is very, very attentive of the contractual situations of a lot of former Real Madrid players. Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modrić and Nacho Fernández are the names that they are considering in California to see if they will not remain with their clubs next season,” he added.
"El San Diego FC, de EE.UU, está interesado en varios exjugadores del Real Madrid".
◻️ "Entre ellos Sergio Ramos, Keylor Navas, Nacho, Modric...".Información de @JuanfeSanzPerez en #ElChiringuitoDeMega. pic.twitter.com/sWcuI16LiW
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 14, 2024
Ramos, who returned to boyhood club Sevilla this season, would be the player that is most likely to make the move to San Diego, with reports saying the legendary Spain defender is in advanced talks with the club to sign as a free agent.
Modrić and Nacho, current Real Madrid players, are both expected to leave the Merengues at the end of the season and rumored to be considering offers from MLS. Navas, who is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain, would also be considering a move to the United States.
⚪️ Key week ahead for several Real Madrid players to decide their future. Key hours.
❗️ As reported yesterday, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić cases are still open — despite previous pacts/plans in March, anything can still happen.Nacho, expected to leave
More to follow soon. pic.twitter.com/XxKjdm4eeF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 13, 2024
Keylor Navas will leave PSG as free agent at the end of the season, the decision has been made.
“I’m grateful for the recent years together at this club”, Keylor says. pic.twitter.com/Ke6xnA2mJ1— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2024
Inter Miami completed the signings of former FC Barcelona legends Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez in the past year and have since then found great success in MLS (currently first place in Eastern Conference standings) as well as winning last summer’s Leagues Cup.
SDFC have also been linked with the signings of Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, Hirving Lozano (reportedly in advanced talks) and manager Hugo Sánchez (also a former Real Madrid player and legend).
