Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has confirmed his desire to sign a contract extension at Real Madrid, but he only wants to be rewarded any new terms on "merit".
The Croatia international - who turns 38 in September - has entered the final six months of his current deal with Los Blancos and could depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Despite entering the twilight of his career, Modric has remained an integral cog of Carlo Ancelotti's system, coming up with six goals and three assists in 31 appearances this season.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man is expected to start for the Champions League holders in their last-16 first leg against Liverpool on Tuesday night, and he was asked about his future at the Santiago Bernabeu prior to the contest.
While confirming that no talks had taken place over a renewal just yet, Modric affirmed that he wants to extend his stay in Madrid, but he does not want to be given a new deal without earning it.
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"I'd like to deserve to stay here on my own merit not just as a freebie. No-one has given me anything for free in my career and I don't want that to happen now either," Sky Sports News quotes Modric as saying.
"If the club think I deserve a contract then I'd love to stay, but only on merit. Not just based on what I have done here or my past or the history of what I have achieved.
"We don't have these conversations mid-season. I am very relaxed about it. This is the club of my life and whatever happens between now and the end of the season, no-one can take that away or break that feeling and ruin that relationship."
It has been claimed that Modric would have to retire from international football in order to sign a new contract at Real Madrid, an ultimatum which has arisen since Croatia's third-placed finish at the 2022 World Cup.
Real boss Ancelotti was supposedly expecting Modric to quit international football following the Qatar tournament, but the midfielder will continue for the next Nations League cycle and could be convinced to play at Euro 2024 should Croatia qualify.
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The 37-year-old joined Real Madrid for a €35m (£30.9m) fee from Tottenham in 2012, and he has a record of 37 goals and 74 assists from 467 contests for Los Blancos in all competitions.
Modric has won a staggering 22 major honours with the capital giants, including five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles, as well as winning the Ballon d'Or in 2018 after leading Croatia to the World Cup final.
Despite his intention to sign a new deal, Real have started to plan for life without Modric and fellow veteran Toni Kroos, whose contract also expires at the end of the season.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga have both reinforced the Blancos' midfield ranks, and the European champions are expected to be one of the frontrunners to sign Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham this summer.
Ancelotti is facing a midfield dilemma for Tuesday's clash with Liverpool, though, as both Kroos and Tchouameni were left out of Real Madrid's squad due to illness.
