• Premier League

Modric wants Bale reunion at Madrid

ESPN staff
June 14, 2013
Luka Modric wants to link up with his ex-Tottenham team-mate © PA Photos
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Luka Modric has told Marca that former Tottenham team-mate Gareth Bale would "give the team another dimension" if he were to join Real Madrid.

Bale, 23, has become one of the hottest properties in Europe following a fine 2012-13 season that saw him being named both the PFA Player of the Year and the PFA Young Player of the Year, as well as the Football Writers' Player of the Year.

Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are just two of a number clubs to have been linked with the Wales international, who has made no secret of his desire to play abroad at some point in his career.

Los Blancos president Florentino Perez said earlier this week that his club would not hesitate to spend £85 million on Bale, while Spurs are desperate to keep hold of their player.

And Modric, who played with the former Southampton man during his time at White Hart Lane, believes Bale would be a perfect addition to the Madrid team.

"Since Madrid is the team of the galaxy, Bale would fit perfectly, we could really use him," he told Marca. "He would give the team another dimension. His shot, his strength, his speed, his offensive power. He is the type of player who will help us take a step forward.''

Modric added: "It is a complicated issue for me because I was with Tottenham. I can tell you we're friends and he is an exceptional player. I guarantee it. And whether the club is Real Madrid, Tottenham or another, they can only win if they sign a player like that. If it is Real Madrid, it's better for us.''

While Bale has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo has also been up for debate.

The Portugal international took to Twitter on Thursday to deny there was any truth behind reports that an agreement on a new contract with the club had been struck.

Modric, however, has no doubt that he will be teaming up alongside Ronaldo when the new season starts.

When asked if he believes the former Manchester United forward will sign a new contract, Modric said: "Yeah, yeah, of course.''

The Croatia international went on to lavish praise on Ronaldo, who has impressed him most of all since arriving at Madrid last summer.

"It's hard to just stick with one but when you have to you pick Cristiano Ronaldo,'' he said. "It's amazing the passion with which he trains every day, how he takes people on, he is an excellent professional. Then you see the quality of [Mesut] Ozil, Xabi [Alonso], [Karim] Benzema ... but if I had to pick one...''

Modric also reiterated that he had no intention of leaving the Spanish side, despite having been linked with a move to Chelsea, and a reunion with Jose Mourinho.

"I have no doubt. I want to stay at the best club in the world. For me it is a privilege to be here," he said. "I want to show a lot more in the future and I [would not] consider anything other than white to continue next season.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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