Luka Modric has been linked with an exit from Real Madrid this summer, with Miralem Pjanic, Marco Verratti and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic among those touted as possible replacement options.
The 32-year-old midfield maestro has been a pivotal figure in their success in recent years, playing a key role in dictating games alongside the likes of Toni Kroos and Casemiro with his technical quality and passing range.
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In turn, albeit he is approaching the latter stages of his career and so a long-term replacement will eventually be needed, as he showed at the World Cup this summer, he remains near the top of his game.
With that in mind, losing him in the same summer as Cristiano Ronaldo departed the Bernabeu would be a huge blow for the reigning European champions, but reports claim that they’ve set their sights on some impressive names to potentially fill the Modric void.
According to Corriere dello Sport, with Inter being linked with a swoop for the Croatian international, Verratti, Pjanic and Milinkovic-Savic are all said to be possible targets, although it’s added that any one of the three could cost up to €100m or above.
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Loading ...Further, an alternative option as per the report could be Ajax youngster Frenkie de Jong, who given is still in the early stages of his career albeit he has impressed for the Dutch giants, would surely command a much smaller fee.
Still only 21 years of age, he could be the long-term option that Real Madrid go for, although coach Julen Lopetegui must also decide as to whether Mateo Kovacic or Dani Ceballos warrant a bigger role in the upcoming campaign as the Spanish tactician will have his own plans too.
Los Blancos haven’t brought in a marquee signing to replace Ronaldo, but time will tell if they are forced to act if Modric also heads for the exit door.