Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez is in advanced talks to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad on a free transfer, multiple sources have told ESPN.
Nacho's contract with Madrid expires on June 30 and, unless there is an unexpected and late change of plans, he will now leave the club for the first time in his career.
A source told ESPN that the player had already made the decision to leave when Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League final on June 1, with Nacho lifting the trophy at Wembley as captain. .
The 34-year-old defender's future had been in doubt in the summer of 2023, but when his departure was deemed certain, a change of heart saw him renew his contract at Madrid for another season.
The Spanish international's form has been up and down in 2023-24, making 29 LaLiga appearances, but he finished the season strongly, performing well in Madrid's run to the Champions League final.
There were suggestions during the campaign that an exit was likely, but growing doubts over the course of the last month saw Nacho ask the club for time to reflect on his situation.
He had been linked with a move to MLS, but ESPN reported that no final decision had been made.
Now, multiple sources have confirmed that Nacho is in talks to join Al Ittihad, where he would be reunited with his former Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
A source close to the negotiations told ESPN they were “optimistic” but insisted a deal had not yet been reached.
A source close to Real Madrid told ESPN that Nacho had not communicated the decision to the club, but they assumed the defender would leave.
The player had earned the right to decide his future, the source said, although there was also sadness that Nacho would not end his career as “a club man” at Madrid.
Nacho is part of an elite group of players, along with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal and Paco Gento of Madrid, who have won six European Cups.
He has won a record total (with Modric) of 26 trophies with the club.
The defender arrived at Madrid when he was 11 years old and made his debut with the first team in the 2012-13 season.
Negotiations with Al Ittihad are not expected to be prolonged and an agreement is likely to be reached in the next two weeks.
The Saudi club finished a disappointing fifth in the league last season and are looking to sign a new coach to replace Argentinian Marcelo Gallardo.
Nacho is on international duty at Euro 2024, and Spain will face Croatia in their first match on Saturday.
Reporting by ESPN's Alex Kirkland contributed to this report.
