Florentino Perez Reportedly Delays Luka Modric Talks Amid Inter Milan Rumours

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has reportedly put talks with midfielder Luka Modric on hold until Friday as speculation continues to swirl over the Croatia international's future.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move to Inter Milan throughout the transfer window, although he returned to training with Madrid on Thursday.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia), Modric was meant to meet with Perez on Thursday, although the talks have been put back another day.

Di Marzio added that while Perez was delayed in returning from the club's pre-season tour and is set to be busy on Thursday following Thibaut Courtois' arrival from Chelsea, the decision to postpone the meeting with Modric is a strategic move.

Madrid are said to hope the delays will cause uncertainty at Inter as they seek to pull off this coup, although a "gentleman's agreement" between Madrid and Modric is reportedly giving the Italian side hope that a deal could get done.

According to Football Italia, Modric will meet with Perez to inform him of his desire to move to Milan and start a new challenge, having spent the six seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Italian Football TV provided its assessment of the situation surrounding Modric:

The summer has been one of major transition for Los Blancos. At the end of last season, they won the UEFA Champions League for the third year in succession. But they have since lost talismanic goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Zinedine Zidane.

It gives new manager Julen Lopetegui plenty of work to do, as he will need to fill the void left by Zidane's departure on the sidelines and make up the shortfall in goals without Ronaldo on the field. Replacing the huge influence Modric can have on matches may make this an impossible job.

Modric has been the conductor of this Madrid machine during their spell of European dominance. In their win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 Champions League final, the Croatian ran the show:

Those traits were on display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia too; Modric excelled for Croatia in some huge games, propelling them to a shock final appearance and winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player

While they lost 4-2 to France in the final, their skipper was tireless, and he showcased an attritional side to his game for which he's not renowned:

Regardless of Modric's intentions, it would be a big shock if Madrid sanctioned their No. 10's sale. Not only is he a critical player, but the midfield positions would also be looking light at the Bernabeu if he did depart, especially as compatriot Mateo Kovacic joined Chelsea on loan for the season on Thursday, per the London club's official website.

Inter still have until the end of August to sign Modric, who has the class to make them a force in Serie A next season. However, Madrid would surely resist any approach that comes their way.