Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić has verbally agreed to join AC Milan following the conclusion of his spell with Real Madrid, according to the Serie A club’s sporting director, Igli Tare.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is set to leave Real Madrid after the FIFA Club World Cup, concluding a glittering 13-year tenure in Spain. Reports suggest a move to the seven-time European champions is now imminent.
“I spoke to him in person and saw a guy who is really eager to be competitive. His arrival is crucial for a group that needs players like him, leadership,” Tare told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Tare revealed details of their conversation, highlighting Modrić’s ambition. “The first question Luka asked me was: ‘Will we be a team built to win the championship?’ He has won six Champions Leagues and wants to be a star player from the start.”
“He is important for what he will convey in terms of mentality, leadership and professionalism. The fact that he is an AC Milan fan makes this story even more exciting,” Tare added.
Sources have told ESPN that personal terms between the two parties were agreed upon in early June, before the start of the Club World Cup. Modrić, who will turn 40 in September, is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option for a further year, with a reported net salary of around €3.5 million per season plus bonuses.
The move is seen as an effort by Modrić to secure regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
In addition to the Modrić deal, sources also indicate that AC Milan have agreed to personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, though a final transfer fee with the German club is yet to be settled.
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