Real Madrid: How Can the Team Integrate Transfer Target Luka Modric?

Real Madrid look set to roll the dice on Luka Modric and take a gamble on Tottenham's midfield playmaker. But how can Jose Mourinho integrate the Croatian into his plans should the transfer go ahead?

Luka Modric's aim is clear: He wants Champions League football, as well as a significant pay raise that matches his ability on the pitch. He was denied a move to Chelsea last summer, but seems to have shifted his desired destination onto the continent and towards Real Madrid.

There were a few bemoaning Jose Mourinho's lack of rotation when it mattered late last season—including me. And perhaps there were indications that the Madrid manager didn't fully trust his squad when the business end of the season approached, which forced the team out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich.

Should Nuri Sahin have been integrated more? Absolutely. But what does Modric offer that the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder doesn't?

Sahin's numbers were much more impressive during his last full season while in Germany compared to that of Modric last year. And while both players assumed a central prominent role in their teams, it was Sahin who remained far more consistent during his former side's push to the league title.

However, that's not to suggest Modric is a bad player to bolster this Real Madrid side. He is capable of relieving the duties of Xabi Alonso in midfield and, provided there is cover via Sami Khedira, can dictate play in a similar manner.

The Spurs playmaker is able to keep the game moving and supply passes to the Madrid forwards. He is also capable of the spectacular in front of goal.

But while his numbers at Tottenham might not reflect his projected ability on the pitch, there is a possibility for those numbers to greatly increase in a much better Madrid team.

Modric has also been deployed on the flanks during his time at Spurs. He was (wrongfully) pushed to the wings by Juande Ramos during his time at White Hart Lane, and Harry Redknapp also experimented by playing the Croatian out wide.

The problem is, Modric doesn't have the same effect on a game playing from the flanks. The abilities of Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria are far more suited to the wide positions, while at the same time, both can be and are deployed in much more central roles.

It's also worth noting that this Real Madrid team is not far from being able to dominate on a number of fronts. Yes there is a necessity to add depth to the side, but does Modric want to be the player to do that? Kaka struggled to displace Real Madrid's regular starting XI; who's to say Modric will have a better time than the Brazilian?

Another lingering doubt should be what Real Madrid would have to give up to acquire Modric from Tottenham. For starters, £30 million is a huge payout for a player who might not feature regularly. Similarly, his numbers do not scream that of a player who would cost more than both Ozil and Sahin combined.

Modric's strengths can be a big boost to Madrid's push for another league title and the Champions League. He can slot into a number of positions and roles in the team (however, to varying effect), and he fit's the bill of a player capable of replacing Kaka should the Brazilian depart.

Luka Modric is talented enough to play for this Real Madrid side and under Jose Mourinho. The underlying question, however, is whether Modric can fill a spot regularly with the other options at Mourinho's disposal.

Unless players like Nuri Sahin and Sergio Canales have little to no future at Real Madrid going forward, Modric will struggle to fill a role ahead of those and first team regulars Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil.