Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is reportedly yet to make a call on his future despite the fact that his contract at Bernabeu will expire in little over two months.
The Croatia international has been forced to accept a reduced role for Los Blancos during the 2023-24 campaign, with the 38-year-old no longer considered to be a starter for the club.
Modric has still been a regular, featuring on 36 occasions in all competitions, and he was handed a start against Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday evening.
The experienced midfielder was named on the bench for the first whistle against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final last week, though, and he is again expected to be among the substitutes for the second leg despite the fact that Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended.
Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde are set to feature in the three-man midfield at the Etihad Stadium, with Jude Bellingham playing behind a front two of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, providing that the latter can overcome the knock that saw him remain on the bench against Mallorca.
© Reuters
Kroos is set to sign a new contract at Bernabeu, with the Germany international once again a vital player for Real Madrid this season, but there remains ongoing speculation surrounding Modric's future.
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, the experienced midfielder has not made a final call, as he has also been offered the chance to form part of Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff next season.
"Luka Modric has not made a decision 100% yet. There are possibilities outside of Europe for Modric, and there was the advert from Dinamo Zagreb too, but he will have the chance to leave Europe," Moretto told Football Espana.
"As we know, Carlo Ancelotti asked whether he would be interested in joining his coaching staff in January. Real Madrid will retain Toni Kroos, he will renew.
© Reuters
What could be next for Modric?
"Modric is considering the role he could have next season with Real Madrid. Right now he isn't playing much, he doesn't have the role that he used to, and he's weighing up how that might change too. He will think it over."
Dinamo Zagreb have made no secret of their desire to re-sign Modric and recently took out a full-page advert in a Spanish newspaper in a bid to convince him to return to the club.
The Croatian turned out for the Blues between 2000 and 2008, including five years in the first team, before famously moving to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2008.
Modric seemingly has no plans to hang up his boots, so staying at Real Madrid might not be an option, but there is likely to be huge Saudi Arabian interest in the midfielder, as was the case last summer.
The 174-time Croatia international might ultimately make a family decision when it comes to his next move, and he has shown throughout the campaign that he is still one of the most gifted playmakers in world football.
Matt Law
