Real Madrid fans won't be happy with Luka Modric news

Stuart Telford

• 8 Apr 2023 16:15 BST
• 3 min read

Luka Modric is hurtling towards free agency at Real Madrid with the club yet to open negotiations with their Croatian midfield legend about a new contract.

Modric has become one of the best players in world football in his decade in Madrid, winning five Champions Leagues and beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the Ballon d'Or in 2018.

He remains one of Real's most important players, featuring in 24 of their 27 La Liga games this season and six of their eight Champions League fixtures so far, but his current deal expires at the end of June.

READ: When does the contract of every Real Madrid player expire?

And there has been no movement from los Blancos.

"Real officials have yet to contact the 37-year-old or his representatives to kickstart extension talks," report GOAL.

"Modric has been waiting for months for some news from the club, and is growing more and more uncomfortable with the situation as the 2022-23 season continues to run down."

It is understood that Modric's refusal to retire from international duty after helping Croatia to the semi-finals of the winter World Cup in Qatar has irked Madrid, while they also have youthful competition emerging in Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde.

READ: Modric's response when asked about joining Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

Modric wants to stay, Bellingham or not

Real are also at the front of the queue to sign nascent England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund next summer, although competition from Liverpool and Manchester City will help drive his price well beyond €100m.

Modric has previously reiterated his desire to extend his stay at Madrid, more competition for his place or not.

"I don't know what to say if I haven't already said - my desire is to stay at Real Madrid until the end of my career, anything else is just speculation," he said when asked if he might join former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

"I know that you [journalists] have to write and provide information, but what I've repeated it 100 times I'll repeat now: my wish is to stay at Real."