Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric next summer.
The Croatian international, who turned 36 on Thursday, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu and is considering his options in the latter stages of his career.
Spanish news outlet El Nacional.cat reports that Pep Guardiola is keen to recruit a player with similar qualities to Barcelona's Sergio Busquets, and believes Modric would be the 'ideal midfielder' who can bring balance to his midfield.
City already have a plethora of midfield options at their disposal, though Guardiola may consider the signing of Modric next summer as a potential replacement for Fernandinho, who will see his contract expire in the summer of 2022.
The report also states that the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has aspirations to spent the final few years of his career in the United States, and it is thought that City would be willing to offer the Croatian a contract that would see him begin with Guardiola's side before switching to their sister club New York City FC.
Modric has made 392 appearances for Real Madrid since he joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, winning four Champions League trophies as well as two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey.
Oliver Thomas
