Speaking about Newcastle United’s reported interest in him back in 2008, Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric revealed a deal, in his mind, was never actually that close at all.
For many Toon fans, missing out on Modric is a major source of frustration and there were media reports at the time suggesting the Magpies pretty much had a deal wrapped up, only for Spurs to swoop in and sign him from Dinamo Zagreb.
Given all he achieved in North London before hitting a new level after joining Real Madrid in 2012 where he’s won four Champions League titles and two La Ligas amongst a raft of cup trophies, the fact Newcastle didn’t sign him was obviously a blow.
Indeed, Kevin Keegan – manager at the time – has blamed former head of recruitment Tony Jimenez for snubbing a deal though he, in turn, claimed Mike Ashley pulled out of the transfer.
Would Modric have hit the same level if he joined Newcastle?
Yes
No
Still, writing in his book with quotes sourced by Four Four Two via the Chronicle, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner revealed he didn’t think a move to St. James’ Park was ever truly that close.
“I heard a few rumours at the time that Newcastle were thinking about taking me there, like many other teams, but I don’t remember anything in particular,” he said.
“At the time, though, no one told me directly that Newcastle wanted to sign me. There were some other teams that the people who took care of me were telling me about, but they didn’t mention Newcastle.”