Rio Ferdinand reveals that he tried to lure Croatian superstar Luka Modric into signing for Manchester United. Due to problems between both Manchester United and Spurs board the transfer was never completed.
In 2012, when Modric left Tottenham for Real Madrid for £30 million, no one ever suspected that he actually wanted to sign for Manchester United.
In his last game against United with Spurs back in 2012, Modric told Rio Ferdinand that he was going to leave the North London side. However he didn't have a clue where he was going to sign.
The United defender tried to convince Luka Modric to sign for Manchester United.
In a video published on his YouTube channel FIVE, Ferdinand said that the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner was really keen in joining Sir Alex Ferguson's team:
I spoke to him before he left for Real Madrid. I said to him: 'Are you leaving Tottenham?' And he said: 'Yes, I think I'm leaving'. At the time he wasn't sure where he was going and I said: 'You've got to come to United, man. He told me he wanted to be the first Croatian to play for Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand revealed why Modric never signed for United. There was only reason to this failed transfer: the United board did not want to deal with Daniel Levy, Tottenham's chairman.
David Gill, former Manchester United chief executive, told Ferdinand that negotiating with Levy is a real nightmare. Gill knew how hard it was talking transfers with Levy after they signed Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs back in 2008.
Rio Ferdinand believes Modric is in the top three best midfielders in football's history
Ferdidand has also named Modric amongst his list of the three greatest midfielders of all time. For him, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric are the best midfielders in football's history.
🗣 Rio Ferdinand: "Pirlo or Modrić? Modrić. When you talk about the best midfielders ever Pirlo doesn't really come into the conversation. It's Xavi, Iniesta and Modrić." pic.twitter.com/MGR2BBDydC
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 16, 2023
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