Luka Modric has reportedly recommended compatriot Ante Coric’s name as his potential heir at Real Madrid.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Ante Coric has earned an admirer in Croatia teammate Luka Modric. Modric has recommended Coric’s name to Real Madrid as his potential heir at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Coric joined Dinamo Zagreb’s youth setup as a 16-year-old in 2013 and made such rapid strides in the academy that he made his first-team debut only a year later, at the nascent age of 17. Since then, the player has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as a mainstay in the first-team setup.
Still all of 20, Coric has already racked up more than 100 appearances for Zagreb’s senior side while also making the grade with the Croatia national side. And 2016/17 was another promising season for him, as made 36 appearances in all competitions for his side and bagging 8 goals and 5 assists.
His stellar showings for Zagreb have also seen Coric being regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that some of the biggest clubs in the continent are making a beeline for the player.
In fact, Liverpool looked set to sign Coric last summer before the 20-year-old pulled the plug on the deal. While the Reds have continued to retain an interest in the Croat, they could face competition for him in the form of Real Madrid.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is an admirer of Coric’s talents and has put forward the youngster’s name to Los Blancos to pursue a move for him in the summer transfer window. This is, in fact, the second time that Modric is recommending Coric’s name after Real Madrid did not make a move for him last summer.
Zinedine Zidane currently uses Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos in central midfield in his side, with Mateo Kovacic usually being the trio’s deputy. However, Kovacic is believed to have grown frustrated with his time on the bench at Real Madrid and could be leaving the club in the summer.
Should that happen, Zidane could heed Modric’s advice and turn his attention towards Coric for a move in the summer transfer window. However, it will be interesting to see if the player makes the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu as he is unlikely to be a regular next season.
Having snubbed Liverpool to secure regular game time for Dinamo Zagreb last summer, it remains to be seen if Coric maintains a similar stance if Real Madrid come calling.
