By Tyne-Talk
April 24 2008

Various news sources are today reporting that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has travelled to Newcastle to negotiate a move to the club. The 22 year old has been linked with Chelsea since February last year and more recently Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona. However the recent speculation suggests a battle between Newcastle United, Manchester United and Chelsea who appear to be looking at potential replacements for Frank Lampard. Modric, who currently plays for Dinamo Zagreb is said to have travelled to Tyneside with the clubs vice-chairman Zdravko Mami on Tuesday with the two club's discussing a potential £20Million move.

Previous reports suggest that the duo travelled to London in December 2007 to engage in talks with Chelsea and Arsenal, the figure being pulled around at the time was said to have been approximately £17million.

Modric has been at Dinamo Zagreb since 2005; he has featured in 69 games and scored 20 goals. He began his International career for Croatia 2 years ago. His potential is attracting a lot of interest and he is considered one of the best prospects in Europe and tipped for big things during his career. He name became well known back in 2004 when he received the Player of the Year award from club Zrinjski Mostar in 2004 before signing for Inter Zaprešiæ. He signed for Zrinjski Mostar in 2003 stayed until 2004 and made 22 appearances, scoring 8 goals.

He is a strong, attacking midfielder whose determination propelled him into the International team where has remained since 2006, helping his side beat England twice in the European Qualifiers preventing England from qualifying.

Modric has a very active history and hasn't remained in one place for very long. If Newcastle could tie him down he sounds like he could be a good addition to Keegan's squad.

If he does indeed commit to a £20million move it would break the clubs £16million record signing of Michael Owen in 2005.

Club Career:

2003 - 2004 Zrinjski Mostar - 22 appearances, 8 goals
2004 - 2005 Inter Zaprešiæ - 18 appearances, 3 goals
2005 - Present Dinamo Zagreb - 69 appearances, 20 goals

International Career:

2006 - Present - Croatia

Modric Set To Sign. Player Stats

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 24/04/2008 20:13

TyneTalk
24/04/2008 20:13

Modric Set To Sign. Player Stats

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CNDShearerFan16
24/04/2008 20:52

20 million pounds? Wow.

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MissC
24/04/2008 21:02

That appears to be the most popular figure been thrown around.

I saw earlier in a post someone mentioned £17m that was what chelsea/Manure were allegedly looking to pay last year.

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CNDShearerFan16
24/04/2008 21:05

Guess if we want to play with the big boys we're gonna have to splash the cash.

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Rob-15-92
24/04/2008 22:36

Won't happen. Rather spend £20mill on Carrick.

The Eastenders of football.. Newcastle!

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Tafa
24/04/2008 23:18

hes a fantasic player, fingers crossed

British By Birth, Geordie By The Grace Of God

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Dick
25/04/2008 16:12

Carrick is great but Modric is better

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gnd27
25/04/2008 17:38

Not fussed on Carrick like. Or is it that I just hate Manure!

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Joe
28/04/2008 12:34

Carrick is not worth £20 million!

No way

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tunyc
28/04/2008 14:57

Carrick is not worth £20M, especially to a club that already has Butt and Barton in the lineup and is supposedly after Steve Sidwell. Why spend that much on a position where we're going to have 5 guys in the squad?

I just hope we don't bite on Lennon now that Spuds will obviously have to sell to make some cash back. He's borderline useless.

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