• Transfer News

Mourinho attempted to lure Modric to Chelsea

ESPN staff
July 29, 2014
Luka Modric has been in pre-season action with his Real Madrid team-mates in the United States © Getty Images
Enlarge

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he attempted to persuade Luka Modric to return to the Premier League with Chelsea.

Modric, who played under Mourinho at Real Madrid, left Tottenham to move to La Liga in 2012 and came close to joining Chelsea before his departure for Spain.

"I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want [to join] Chelsea," Mourinho told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

"You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities. But he stays in Real Madrid."

Modric won the Champions League and Copa del Rey with Real Madrid last season and is expected to remain a key part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans this campaign despite the arrivals of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close