Modric: Inter Milan not giving up on Real Madrid midfielder
Inter are still holding out hope of signing Luka Modric but, with Serie A's transfer window closing on Friday, time isn't on their side.
The Luka Modric saga may be considered done and dusted in Spain, but in Italy they're not giving up on seeing the Real Madrid star become the latest marquee signing in Serie A, in a summer transfer window that has seen the league's clubs spend a combined total of over a billion euros. Diario AS understands that Inter Milan are still holding out hope of securing his services, and will wait for him right up until the close of the Italian window, which is this Friday - a fact that may well scupper their designs on the Croatia captain.
With the ambitious Nerazzurri seemingly going places as Calcio regains its former prestige with a raft of big-name arrivals (Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlo Ancelotti...), the club remain in no doubt about Modric's desire to embark on a new adventure there. What's more, the presence at Inter of three international team-mates in Ivan Perisic, Sime Vrsaljko and Marcelo Brozovic is a major lure: during Croatia's run to the World Cup final in Russia, the four are believed to have spoken on several occasions about the possibility of being united in Milan.
Modric remains keen on Inter but won't force exit
Modric wants to go to Inter, sources in Italy insist, but has no intention of forcing through his exit from the Bernabéu at all costs. He has an excellent relationship with the Real Madrid hierarchy and, if the club are unwilling to let him leave, he'll accept the decision and wear the white shirt with the same commitment to the cause as ever. And, as AS revealed last week, Los Blancos' eagerness to avoid losing another key player this summer is set to ensure he earns a significantly improved contract.
Inter look unlikely to get their man before window closes
But Modric's desire to join Inter does not come down to money. The midfielder feels he has achieved all he can in his trophy-laden career at Real and is keen for a new challenge - which is why Inter have not yet given up on the former Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspur man just yet, with the intermediaries involved in brokering a potential deal awaiting the outcome of a final meeting between the player and Real. However, there are two obstacles that make the transfer almost an impossibility: the Uefa Super Cup... and time.
Real's Tallinn clash with Atlético has put any talks between Modric and club president Florentino Pérez on hold until after Wednesday's European curtain-raiser, by which point there will only be two days left before the Serie A window closes. In such a short space of time, Modric would have to make a final attempt to agree his departure from the Bernabéu, Inter would then have to reach a deal with Real, and Los Merengues would need to find a replacement.
It's almost impossible; but while at least an outside chance remains, Inter are not giving up.
