Carlo Ancelotti confident Luka Modric will not seek January exit

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Luka Modric will not attempt to leave the club during the January transfer window.

The Croatia international was strongly linked with a move away from Bernabeu over the summer, with a number of Saudi Arabian clubs believed to have been interested in his signature.

Modric ultimately penned a one-year extension with Real Madrid until next June, but he has not been a regular starter this season, with Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos above him in the pecking order.

The 38-year-old has made eight appearances, but just three of those have been starts, while he has been an unused substitute for Real Madrid's last two league games with Las Palmas and Girona.

Modric admitted last month that it was "strange" to not be a regular starter this season, but he insisted that he was "completely calm" with his situation in the Spanish capital.

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There has now been fresh speculation surrounding his future, with suggestions that the experienced midfielder could attempt to leave Real Madrid in January.

However, Ancelotti, speaking during his press conference to preview Saturday's clash with Osasuna, does not believe that Modric will depart in the middle of the campaign.

"I don't think Modric is considering leaving in January. He is still very important and we are happy with him," Ancelotti told reporters on Friday afternoon.

"I talk to Modric every day and what he brings to the dressing room is something no one else can bring. For me, he is very important even when he doesn't play because he motivates his teammates. He doesn't like not playing and it affects him, I understand that."

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Modric was a late substitute in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League last week, and he is again expected to start on the bench against Osasuna.

There is believed to be serious Saudi Arabian interest in the midfielder, who is highly unlikely to sign another deal with Real Madrid, which will see him leave next year one way or the other.

Modric has made 496 appearances for Real Madrid since arriving at the club from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012.

The midfielder has won three La Liga crowns, two Copa del Rey titles and five Champions League trophies during a highly-successful spell in the Spanish capital.

Modric is also wanted by Dinamo Zagreb, with the club already signalling a desire to bring him back to the Croatian giants in 2024.