Real Madrid and Luka Modric will part ways this summer according to the latest exit from the Spanish capital – but it will be the club that wants to end things.
After a season in which Modric had seen his role reduced to largely a rotation option or impact substitute, many had suspected that the Croatian could be the one to bring his relationship to an end, looking for a more important position in a team. However Relief say that Real Madrid have all but decided not to offer Modric a renewal this summer.
The club believes that it is time for younger players to continue their development, and the case of Arda Guler is mentioned, with the Turkish talent growing frustrated with his lack of minutes. Some of those could have gone to Modric this season. Equally, Modric is also on high wages, and with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, freeing up some of his salary is not bad, even if it is not the decisive factor.
Modric is willing to make an effort to lower his salary and stay at the club, but the decision has more or less been made. He wants to continue for another season, and it is clear that it is not a decision that came from the coaching staff, but rather the highest at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 38-year-old arrived 12 years ago from Tottenham Hotspur, and carved his name into the history books at Real Madrid. Over 531 games, he scored 39 goals and provided 86 assists, winning five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, four Club World Cups, four European Supercups, five Spanish Supercups and two Copas del Rey. He was also awarded the World Player of the Year in 2018 by FIFA, and the Ballon d'Or. Save for a U-turn, he has four games, and a chance to get out of European football at Real Madrid.
