Transfer Talk: Real star Luk-ing at City as contract talks draw a Blanc

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is said to be open to the idea of joining Manchester City when he becomes a free agent next summer.

The 36-year-old is still a key player for Los Blancos but is yet to agree an extension to his contract which expires at the end of the season.

Spanish publication Super Deporte say Madrid are keen to tie the former Ballon d’Or winner down to a new deal but will only offer him one extra year — as they often do with players over 30.

But the Croatian is still making an impact for the LaLiga leaders and does not feel the contract offer is a fair reflection of his importance to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

It was reportedly a similar issue that saw talks with Sergio Ramos break down last year, with the former captain wanting a longer deal before eventually signing for Paris Saint-Germain.

And it looks as though Modric could do the same with the report indicating he is open to making a free transfer elsewhere — and Pep Guardiola’s City seem the most likely destination.

Modric is understood to be open to moving back to the Premier League but is not interested in signing for newly-wealthy Newcastle or former club Tottenham. 

The midfielder enjoyed an excellent four years at Spurs before his big-money move to the Spanish capital in 2012.

While he would certainly fit City’s style of play, they do not often sign players of Modric’s age and it remains to be seen whether a deal could be struck.

In other news

Barcelona also look set to lose a player on a free after Ousmane Dembele rejected their latest offer of an extension.

Spanish outlet Sport say the French winger has more lucrative offers from elsewhere, with reports in France suggesting Newcastle are lining up a big-money move.

Barca are set to rival Bayern Munich for the signing of French defender Boubacar Kamara from Marseille.

The 22-year-old has refused four contract offers from the Ligue 1 outfit, and Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna says the European giants are both very interested in the highly-rated centre-back.

Southampton have joined Sevilla in the race to sign Blackburn and Chile striker Ben Brereton Diaz, according to the Sun.

The LaLiga side are reportedly frontrunners for the 22-year-old, who starred for his adopted country during the Copa America in the summer and has 16 goals in 22 games for Rovers this season.