Real Madrid, Inter Milan Continue to Bicker over Luka Modric Transfer Saga
Real Madrid and Inter Milan once again exchanged blows over the Luka Modric transfer saga that took place earlier this summer, with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez and Nerazzurri vice-president Javier Zanetti involved this time round.
As reported by Football Italia, Perez kicked things off by accusing Inter of tapping-up the UEFA Player of the Year: "They wanted to take our Number 10 without paying for him! It’s something I’d never seen in 30 years of my career."
When Sky Sports Italia (h/t Football Italia) informed Zanetti of those comments, the Inter man responded: "I haven’t heard what Perez said, but we’ll read them and then see what to do in the opportune arenas."
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Per the report, both clubs have already threatened with lawsuits, and despite the Italian transfer window closing a while back, they just can't seem to let this go.
La Liga President Javier Tebas has also been involved, and he took the opportunity to lash out at several other clubs, including Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, in an interview with ABC (h/t Football Italia).
According to Marca, Real are furious with Inter because they believe the Italians made an illegal approach for the 32-year-old. Officially, clubs are only allowed to speak to prospective transfer targets after they have been given permission by their current clubs. In reality, just about every team breaks this rule, per the Mirror's John Cross.
Inter coach Luciano Spalletti made it clear he believed Modric would stay in the Spanish capital, but also told reporters the Croatia international expressed an interest in joining, per ESPN FC. That in turn launched a whole new wave of speculation Modric had approached Inter, and not the other way round, something he then had to deny, per MailOnline's Joe Strange.
To cap things off, Croatian football agent Marko Naletilic told the press Modric was determined to move to Serie A, and many reporters―including Strange―wrongly stated he was his personal agent. As reported by AS' Carlos Forjanes, he's represented by Vlado Lemic.
Amid all the confusion and speculation, Modric stayed put, and on Thursday, he reaffirmed his commitment to the club: "I am very happy at Real Madrid. I want to stay at this club for many years to come."
Inter finally returned to the Champions League this year after a six-year absence, so the two clubs could meet at some stage this season.
