Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric 'close to agreeing' Real Madrid move claims friend Mate Bilic

Luka Modric: Rather quiet in the first half but grew in influence during the second period as Slaven Bilic moved Modric behind the Croatian strikers. The Tottenham star was able to work a number of shooting opportunities, though his accuracy was s (Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur look set to endure another summer struggle to keep midfielder Luka Modric as he is reportedly nearing a move to Real Madrid.

Modric’s friend and former Croatia team-mate Mate Bilic has said that Real Madrid are very interested and that Modric would like to play in Spain.

"I’m very good friends with Modric," said the Sporting Gijon striker. "He wants to play in the Spanish league. He loves the Premier League but he wants to play in Spain. He’s very close to agreeing a move."

After only just fighting off interest from Chelsea and Manchester United last summer, Spurs were always going to have real difficulty persuading Modric to stay another year if they did not qualify for the Champions League.

Now, if Bilic is to be believed, they may have lost that battle.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly very keen on the midfield maestro and wants to create a formidable duo in the centre of his team by partnering him with Xabi Alonso.

While Modric may have had reservations about upsetting Spurs fans by joining to an English club, going to Spain presents no such problems.

Unfortunately for Spurs fans the opportunity to play in a team full of superstars competing for the Champions League may well be too big an opportunity to turn down.