Luka Modrić spent four years at Tottenham Hotspur and left them for Real Madrid in 2012.
The midfielder spent 13 years at Real Madrid and departed as a free agent at the end of last season. He moved to AC Milan in July, after a number of clubs came forward.
(Ne)uspjeh Prvaka have published a detailed interview with the former Tottenham star on their YouTube channel. He was speaking to former West Ham United and Watford manager Slaven Bilić about several topics.
Sportske Novosti cover comments made by the 40-year-old on his move from Tottenham to Real Madrid. A year before that, Chelsea made a concrete attempt to snatch him from their London rivals.
Daniel Levy was chairman at the north London club, and refused the player to leave for the Blues.
During the course of the 2011/12 season, Modrić was insisting on joining Chelsea, who were still keen. Tottenham, at the same time, were working on giving him an extension.
Modrić revealed Levy made a promise to him that he’d only sell to Real Madrid. The Croatia international explained he thought it wasn’t possible back then, months before the La Liga giants acquired his signature.
“Levy promised me mid-season that he would let me go because I kept insisting and Chelsea still wanted me,” he said.
“We also talked about a new contract, and at one point, I don’t know why, he told me, ‘The only club I would let you go to is Real’. No matter how much you believe in yourself, Real sometimes sounds unattainable.
“I asked him what if Real doesn’t come, and he repeated the same thing during another conversation we had later.
“Even before the start of preparations for the Euros, they called me saying Real wanted me! I was like ‘wow,’ I was stunned, that’s it.
“I already talked to the coach in Rovinj, but leaving wasn’t easy. Despite what he told me, the negotiations were tough and long. I behaved differently then [threatened to boycott Tottenham training], even though it was hard for me to take that step, but I had given my word.”
“It was hard and long, but at that moment I was ready not to play anymore. It’s not in my character, it was hard because of my relationship with the fans, but I didn’t see another way.”
José Mourinho was then in charge at Real Madrid. Modrić says the manager was the only one to push for his signing as Los Blancos had other plans.
He initially struggled in Spain before turning things around. Modrić won the Champions League six times, four league titles and several other trophies with Real Madrid.