REAL MADRID

17:57h CEST

Real Madrid may have posted a picture of Luka Modric posing in the club’s striking new third kit yesterday, but the case with Inter Milan is far from closed.

Modric, who returned to training at Valdebebas this Wednesday as scheduled, has an incredibly generous offer from the Italian club and is considering leaving Madrid. But before he accepts anything, Modric would like to know what Real Madrid can put on the table in response to Inter’s proposal.

There is no doubt that he is comfortable in Madrid, the fans adore him, and in no way is he as steadfast on leaving as Cristiano Ronaldo and Mateo Kovacic, whose move to Chelsea looks imminent. But there are a number of factors that Modric will have in mind that could make the move to Italy appealing.

Lucrative offer

Inter’s offer of 10 million euros a year is a significant 54 increase on his current 6.5-million-euro annual salary at Madrid. Modric will expect Real Madrid to renegotiate the terms of his current contract and to match – or at least comes close to matching – Inter’s salary offer.

China

Inter have offered Modric a four-year contract, plus an additional two years with Chinese club Jiangsu, which is also belongs to Inter’s owners. Therefore the deal is worth a total of 60 million euros to Modric over six years. If he accepted this offer, he would finish his career in China in 2024 at the age of 38.

His age

Modric will turn 33 September and is currently enjoying the greatest moment of his sporting career. He was chosen as the World Cup’s MVP after carrying his team to the final; he has been nominated for FIFA’s player of the year award, and is one of the favorites for this year’s Ballon D’or. Therefore, the Croatian will be aware that this could be his last opportunity to sign the most lucrative contract of his career.

Titles

Modric has won everything with Madrid. While he has always shown ambition, it is obvious that he doesn’t have the same hunger for titles that he did a few years ago. After having won four Champions League titles and playing a decisive role in each one, perhaps he is considering taking on a new challenge in his sporting career.

Ronaldo and Zidane’s exits

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo had an impact on Modric. “I think he is going to stay at Madrid,” he stated just a few days before Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus was made official. Ronaldo had hinted at his departure after the Champions League final, but Modric hoped he would change his mind and continue at Madrid. Also there was the unexpected exit of Zinedine Zidane, with whom he has always shared a relationship based on mutual admiration. The departure of these two figure heads could also weigh on his decision.

Italy

Before his impressive career in LaLiga with Madrid, Modric was one of the stars of the Premiership at Tottenham. He may be tempted by the opportunity to leave his mark in a third top European league in Italy, which he could see as a great way to round of an outstanding career in European football.