Former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that he is extremely happy that a great manager like Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him when he was the manager of Manchester United. Modric is currently playing for Real Madrid, but he was linked with several clubs over the last few years. The likes of Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester United were looking to secure his signature, but it was Real Madrid who ended up getting him for £ 35 million. Modric has revealed that he is happy to be playing for a club like Madrid, but he is also flattered due to interest from several big names over the years.

The Croatian is currently playing for Carlo Ancelotti, who tried to get him when he was at Chelsea and PSG. Tottenham were not prepared to sell him at any price during that period, but they were forced to sell to Real Madrid after they came in with a huge offer. Modric has said that the transfer interest from Manchester United did not materialise into a serious offer, but he is more than happy that Ferguson was interested in him. The former United manager is regarded as one of the best in the world after having led United to numerous titles in 26 years.

“Ancelotti wanted me already. One year ago at PSG and in 2011 at Chelsea. But then Andre Villas-Boas came and Tottenham did not want to give me up. I also knew of the interest of the United and even if the transfer did not materialise, the public appreciation of a great like Sir Alex is a big pride for me. Zvonimir Boban is an idol for me, an example of football and life. When I arrived at Tottenham and I received strong criticism, Boban took my number and called me,” said Modric.

Ever since Luka Modric made the £ 34 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid, there have been rumours linking him with a return to the Premier league. He did not settle at the Spanish club in his first season, but he has now become one of the important players midfield especially after the departure of Mesut Ozil. He was voted by the fans as the worst signing last season, but he has now transformed himself and has endeared to the public.

He has not scored a goal for the club this season, but he has already made 10 appearances in all competitions. It has been a virtual ever present in the Madrid team under Carlo Ancelotti. He has been linked to the Premier league with the likes of Manchester United showing a lot of interest. The champions are keen to strengthen the midfield and were linked with numerous players in the summer including Modric. However, they were unable to get him, but they are expected to come in with a second offer in the summer.

Modric, though, has ruled out any possibility of returning now because he feels settled at Madrid. He was recently joined by his former Tottenham teammate Gareth Bale, who has become the world’s most expensive player at £ 86 million.

“I have no doubt that the best thing that ever happened to me in football is to play in Madrid. Where will I be in four years? Here. Besides being a great club, my family feels amazing in Madrid. In football it is difficult to plan, but if you ask me, I would like to retire in Madrid. With titles, of course,” said the midfielder, who failed to win the league title last season. This time around it is going to be difficult as well because they are five points behind Barcelona.

Croatian international midfielder Luka Modric features heavily in new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti’s plans but Manchester United manager David Moyes hopes to be able to persuade the former Spurs man to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford.

United have already lost out on their primary summer target, Spanish Under-21 international Thiago Alcantara of Barcelona who chose to follow his former boss Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich after a prolonged chase and with United short of creative midfielders, the United manager believes Modric is the man to provide the spark.

United have also been trailing former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, another Barcelona man with the hope of reuniting him once again with Robin van Persie, a partnership that enjoyed much success at the Emirates Stadium but the club has pinned a lot of their hopes on getting Luka Modric, a player who was targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson before he switched from White Hart Lane to the Bernabeu.

According to reports, United were very close to sealing a deal for the Croatian international but the club’s chairman Daniel Levy spoiled any move for the player by asking for an inflated transfer fee. Modric failed to make much of an impact at Madrid during his first few months at the club with Jose Mourinho using him sparingly but burst onto life after scoring the equalizing goal at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

Now, with Mourinho having left the club for Chelsea and Ancelotti taking on the reigns of the club, Luka Modric feels that he has a lot more chance of getting a game at the club but at Manchester United, Moyes can guarantee him a starting berth in the side day in and day out and will be the star man in the United midfield.