After an incredible treble of UEFA Champions League wins, it’s strange to see Real Madrid in a state of transition. The exit of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo is one thing; the loss of Luka Modric would be something else entirely. Links, though, are appearing linking him with a move to Serie A – and perhaps as part of a move to Internazionale.
The Nerrazzurri are in the process of a midfield rebuild, with the likes of Joao Mario, Roberto Gagliardini and Matias Vecino likely to leave the club. This would free up plenty of transfer revenue, and make the supposed €80m move for Modric, 32, possible.
While it might seem short-term to trade in three players in or close to their primes for a player who may be leaving his, Modric does represent a generational talent. Long seen as one of the most important playmakers in world football, he would offer Inter – and Serie A – another world class name to parade alongside a few recent arrivals.
Whether Madrid can be convinced to acquiesce on both Ronaldo and Modric’ wishes after their impressive times in the capital remains to be seen. Links are being treated with tepid optimism in Milan, with many unsure if a player of the calibre of Modric would be likely to make a move to Inter in the first place.
For Madrid, too, the refusal of a huge fee for a player in their 30s might be seen as poor business.
