How Barcelona missed chance to sign Luka Modric in 2008

The Croatian star could have joined the Catalans before his move to Tottenham.

Barcelona rejected the idea of signing Luka Modric back in 2008, reveals Bojan Krkic Sr.

Modric quickly rose to stardom after joining Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb in the same year. Four years later, he finally moved to Spain, this time being signed by Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Speaking to Carrusel, former Barcelona scout Krkic revealed that Modric was on Barcelona’s radar well before his move to Madrid.

“Before Luka Modric signed with Tottenham, Zvonimir Boban called me and said ‘Listen, I have a player for you’,” he told Carrusel.

“He sent me a video of Modrić and assured me he was a top player. We had a meeting with Modrić and his wife in Barcelona.”

Modric has been a cornerstone of the Blancos’ midfield line since his £30m switch from Tottenham. The Ballon d’Or winner has claimed numerous domestic and European titles, including five Champions League trophies and three La Liga honours.

Asked about Barcelona’s reason for not signing Modroc, Krkic added: “He came with desire, but at that time there were already Iniesta and Xavi and Barça didn’t want to cut their progression. Then Modric signed with Tottenham.”