Lionel Messi is keen for Inter Miami to pursue a move from Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, according to former Los Blancos forward Pedja Mijatovic.
Inter Miami completed the statement signing of seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi in June and the Argentine World Cup winner has since excelled for the MLS club, scoring 11 goals in 12 games.
Messi, who won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami in August, has since been joined in the USA by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and co-owner David Beckham intends to lure more high-profile players to the Florida-based club.
One player who has been linked with a possible switch to Inter Miami is 38-year-old Modric, who is facing an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has earned legendary status at Real Madrid during his 11-year spell with the club, scoring 37 goals and providing 77 assists in 495 appearances as well as winning 23 trophies including three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.
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However, Modric will see his current contract in the Spanish capital expire in June 2024 and he has fallen down the pecking order under manager Carlo Ancelotti this season, starting just three of his seven appearances in all competitions.
Modric has fallen behind the likes of Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham, the latter of whom has excelled with Los Blancos sine joining the club this summer.
According to Sky Sports Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg, Inter Miami are interested in signing Modric and are aware that the Croatian is set to leave Real Madrid next summer if he fails to extend his contract.
However, Modric is said to have no immediate plans to sort out his future as he is focused fully on attempting to win back his regular starting place at Real Madrid under Ancelotti.
Despite this, Messi is believed to be keen for the Herons to step up their pursuit of Modric in the next transfer window.
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Former Real Madrid forward Mijatovic, who spent three years with the Spanish giants between 1996 and 1999, has stated that Modric "has received offers from the United States" and Messi has personally expressed his desire for Inter Miami to sign the Croatian.
The 54-year-old has also claimed that Modric has held a face-to-face meeting with ex-Real Madrid man Beckham to discuss a possible move to the MLS club.
Speaking in an interview for Cadena SER, Mijatovic said: "[Modric] has received offers from the United States, from many teams and from this one in particular. He already had the one in Saudi Arabia but he wanted to stay in Madrid.
"Messi himself has personally been interested in the possibility. In Croatia, a few days ago, Modric met Beckham, where they were eating."
Modric is expected to be named in Real Madrid's matchday squad when they travel to Italy to face Napoli in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night.
Oliver Thomas
