MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 22:04:42| >> :60:1123:1123:

Dinamo Zagreb take unusual step to lure Real Madrid's Luka Modric back to club

Dinamo Zagreb take unusual step to lure Real Madrid's Modric back to club
© Reuters
Dinamo Zagreb buy a full-page advert in a Spanish newspaper attempting to lure Real Madrid legend Luka Modric back to the Croatian side ahead of the summer window.

Dinamo Zagreb have taken out a full-page advert in a Spanish newspaper in an attempt to lure Real Madrid's Luka Modric back to the club.

Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 for a deal worth £30m, the 38-year-old has been a key first-team player for the 14-time European champions.

Modric has lifted the Champions League on five occasions and won La Liga three times, with the midfielder on course to make it four Spanish titles before the summer.

Despite his importance, the veteran has played a reduced role in Carlo Ancelotti's XI this season, starting just 12 La Liga matches during 2023-24.

Modric remains a starter for his national side, though, providing two assists in Croatia's 4-2 success over Egypt during March's international break.

Dinamo Zagreb make audacious move for Modric

With Modric's contract at the Bernabeu expiring at the conclusion of the season, there has been plenty of speculation on where the midfielder will be playing his football next term.

Dinamo Zagreb have openly expressed their desire for the Croatian by taking out a full-page advert in Spanish newspaper outlet Marca on Saturday.

There is an image of a Zagreb home shirt with Modric's name and number 10 printed onto the back, with a plea for the 38-year-old to return home.

Modric left the Croatian giants in the summer of 2008 in order to join Spurs in the Premier League in a deal worth in the region of £16.5m.

The midfielder made 97 appearances for Zagreb, winning three-straight league titles between 2006 and 2008, while also lifting the Croatian cup on two occasions.

Real Madrid's Luka Modric celebrates scoring their first goal with Lucas Vazquez on February 25, 2024© Reuters

Modric's reduced role at Madrid

During the 2022-23 campaign at Real Madrid, Modric showed no signs of slowing down despite being 37 years of age, playing in 52 matches across all competitions.

However, the midfielder's involvement for Los Blancos has been largely reduced this term, dropping out of Ancelotti's preferred Madrid XI as they chase the La Liga crown.

With Toni Kroos providing the experience at the base of the engine room, Ancelotti has often opted to include youth around the German, including the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.

Following a nine-day break after their most-recent La Liga fixture, Modric and Real will host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.

ID:540815:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4648:
Written by
Carter White

Click here for more stories about Luka Modric

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Luka Modric pictured on December 17, 2023
Read Next:
Carlo Ancelotti coy on future of Real Madrid midfielder
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!