6.17 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Modric Real deal paves way for Moutinho

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has sealed a move to Real Madrid. (FILE)

Published
By Staff

Luka Modric is poised to become the next 'galactico' at Real Madrid with Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas revealing the Croatia playmaker wants to leave White Hart Lane.

Madrid have tabled a bid of more than £40 million to sign Modric from Spurs, paving the way for AVB to make a move for Joao Moutinho, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are also attempting to sign the 26-year-old Croatia international but Real could strike a deal in the next few days, it reported.

Villas-Boas has revealed that discussions are continuing with "various interested clubs", but he will only be sold if the right offer comes in.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been quoting an asking price of £50 million for Modric but the Real offer is expected to be the best one he will receive with the player preferring a move to Spain rather than join PSG.

Levy stood firm to keep the Croatian at the club 12 months ago when he had set his sights on a switch to Chelsea, but Villas-Boas admits Tottenham have to respect his wishes.
 
"I think Luka is a player of tremendous importance for this football club, and it has been like that since he joined the club," Villas-Boas told Sky Sports News.
 
"The interest that we have from various different clubs shows the importance of the player and what he has done for Tottenham.
 
"I think it is fair to say we respect Luka's ambitions and his willingness to move on, and I think Luka respects as well that he is an important player for the club who can help us move forward.
 
"I think ongoing discussions with these various clubs will continue until we reach an agreement which is sensible for each party."
 
Asked to confirm that it looked like Modric would be leaving, Villas-Boas added: "Not really. The willingness is there from the player but a player of this importance is not easy to part company with.
 
"But I think the chairman is a person who respects the values of the football club and only with the right offer will we take that step."
 
Joao Moutinho has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Modric after impressing for Portugal at Euro 2012.
 
Villas-Boas knows the midfielder well from his time with Porto and admits he would be interested in securing his services, although there are also other targets in mind.
 
"He was one of the most important players at Euro 2012, of course. He had a fantastic tournament," said Villas-Boas.
 
"He is also an important player for Porto and of course counting on players of this dimension will always be interesting for us.
 
"It does not mean he is the only target we are looking at, but eventually if something happens he is a player we are looking at with some interest."

MUST READ:

Newcastle await homecoming of Liverpool's Carroll


 
Fulham plot Carroll-Dempsey Liverpool swap

 

 

Porto star Hulk disappoints Chelsea fans