Croatian superstar midfielder Luka Modric seems to have had it with Real Madrid.
Multiple reports from Italy suggest that the 33-year-old has made his frustrations with the Spanish giants known as they’ve struggled to regain their elite-level form after the departure of manager Zinedine Zidane and the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo over the summer.
Real Madrid sits in fifth place in La Liga, 10 points back of leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona. It puts a 14-year run of top-three finishes in Spain’s top flight in serious jeopardy.
The three-time defending Champions League winners are still very much in the hunt for a fourth-straight European title, however, as they face Ajax in the Round of 16 in February.
Modric has had his fair share of difficulties during the 2018-19 campaign, as well. Last season saw him tally two goals and seven assists with Real Madrid before helping Croatia make a miracle run to the 2018 World Cup Final, which was lost to France. His performance as a playmaking midfielder helped him win major honors such as the Ballon d’Or, the World Cup Golden Ball, and the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
This season has seen Modric struggle alongside Real Madrid as he’s been held to just three assists in 19 appearances for the club.
The frustrations have turned into a desire to leave as he once again is linked with Italian club Inter Milan. Following the World Cup, the Nerazzurri were after Modric, though Real Madrid refused to part with him.
Modric is signed with Real Madrid until 2020, which means Inter would have to pay a hefty price for him. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said over the summer that Modric is not leaving “unless someone pays the 750 million euros of his release clause and not a euro less.”
While it’s unclear if those sentiments have changed, the continuation of Inter’s link with Modric further proves that this deal could very well be on the verge of happening during the January transfer window.
Inter Milan has been playing second fiddle to Juventus, Ronaldo’s new club in Italy, for almost a decade now. The Turin-based squad has won seven-straight Serie A titles and has a nine-point lead over second-place Napoli this season. In the meantime, Inter hasn’t finished higher than fourth.
Bringin on a world-class talent like Modric suddenly makes Inter a much larger threat in Italy, one that can start building up toward European success in the Champions League once again.
