Transfer Centre

Dinamo Zagreb will attempt to re-sign Luka Modric next year

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 September 2023

Dinamo Zagreb president of the board Vlatka Peras confirms his club's intentions to bring Real Madrid's Luka Modric back to the club next year.

Dinamo Zagreb president of the board Vlatka Peras has said that his club will do "everything in its power" to bring Luka Modric back to the club next year.

The experienced midfielder penned a contract extension with Real Madrid earlier this summer, but his deal only runs until next June, and he is widely expected to end his long association with Los Blancos in 2024.

A number of Saudi Arabian clubs are believed to be interested in the midfielder, with many believed to have been in touch over the summer to discuss a possible switch to the Saudi Pro League.

However, Dinamo's president the board has confirmed his club's intentions when it comes to the 38-year-old.

"He is in the last year of his contract, I will call him this winter, of course. So how could Dinamo not want Luka Modric back? I can't say that I am in constant contact with him, but I know members of his family," Peras told Index.

Luka Modric celebrates scoring for Real Madrid on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

"It would make sense for him to return to Dinamo at the end of his career, why not? Dinamo will certainly do everything in its power to make it happen. Now, whether that will be enough, we will see."

Modric joined Dinamo in 2000, progressing to the first team in 2003, and he represented the Croatian giants on 130 occasions in all competitions ahead of a switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

The midfielder won three Croatian titles, two Croatian Cups and the Croatian Super Cup during his time with Dinamo, and he is now wanted back by the club in the latter stages of his career.

Modric has largely been an ever-present for Real Madrid since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, playing a leading role in the Spanish outfit's success in recent years.

Real Madrid's Luka Modric in action with FC Barcelona's Sergio Busquets on April 5, 2023 © Reuters

However, the Croatian is no longer an automatic pick for Los Blancos, with Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham ahead of him in the pecking order.

Modric has only started once in the league for Real Madrid this season, with his first three appearances of the campaign coming off the bench.

Speaking during the international break, the experienced midfielder said that he was content with his position at Real Madrid despite his struggles for starts.

Modric has made 492 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 37 goals and registering 77 assists in the process, winning three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and five Champions League trophies.

Dinamo failed to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League or Europa League for this season, but they will compete in the Europa Conference League.