Dinamo Zagreb take unusual step to lure Real Madrid's Luka Modric back to club

Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 for a deal worth £30m, the 38-year-old has been a key first-team player for the 14-time European champions.

Modric has lifted the Champions League on five occasions and won La Liga three times, with the midfielder on course to make it four Spanish titles before the summer.

Despite his importance, the veteran has played a reduced role in Carlo Ancelotti's XI this season, starting just 12 La Liga matches during 2023-24.

Modric remains a starter for his national side, though, providing two assists in Croatia's 4-2 success over Mohamed Salah's Egypt during March's international break.

Dinamo Zagreb make audacious move for Modric

With Modric's contract at the Bernabeu expiring at the conclusion of the season, there has been plenty of speculation on where the midfielder will be playing his football next term.

Dinamo Zagreb have openly expressed their desire for the Croatian by taking out a full-page advert in Spanish newspaper outlet on Saturday.

There is an image of a Zagreb home shirt with Modric's name and number 10 printed onto the back, with a plea for the 38-year-old to return home.

Modric left the Croatian giants in the summer of 2008 in order to join Spurs in the Premier League in a deal worth in the region of £16.5m.

The midfielder made 97 appearances for Zagreb, winning three-straight league titles between 2006 and 2008, whilst also lifting the Croatian cup on two occasions.

Modric's reduced role at Madrid

During the 2022-23 campaign at Real Madrid, Modric showed no signs of slowing down despite being 37 years of age, playing in 52 matches across all competitions.

However, the midfielder's involvement for Los Blancos has been largely reduced this term, dropping out of Ancelotti's preferred Madrid XI as they chance the La Liga crown.

With Toni Kroos providing the experience at the base of the engine room, Ancelotti's has often opted to include youth around the German, including the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.

Following a nine-day break after their most-recent La Liga fixture, Modric and Real will host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.