Luka Modric appears on Real Madird website

Posted Thursday, August 23, 2012 by thesun.co.uk

Luka Modric appears on Real Madird website
JUMPING THE GUN ... Real Madrid posted Luka Modric's profile on their website before he had signed

REAL MADRID were forced into an embarrassing climbdown after Luka Modric appeared on the club’s website as part of their squad.

The £35million deal with Tottenham has yet to be finalised — but on Tuesday night a full profile of Modric was on one of Real’s web pages.

Modric is set to complete his switch from Spurs before the transfer window closes.

But the Spaniards were left red-faced as the page dedicated to the Croat appeared to jump the gun.

Officials acted quickly to take it down after a link was leaked on Twitter — but hundreds of surfers managed to access it before it was removed.

Madrid swiftly killed off talk of an imminent announcement and privately insisted it was the work of hackers.

It was hugely embarrassing for the Spanish giants who have been briefing the local media that they are confident they have got their man. In his ‘profile’ Modric was depicted as a Tottenham player between 2008-12 and as a Real star from this year.

Although Madrid privately insist a deal has been agreed in principle, it is believed the form of payment is still being discussed.

Talks are believed to centre around how much the Spaniards will pay up front and how much will be linked to success on the pitch.

That coupled with the fact Tottenham have been locked in discussions over a number of deals has delayed the official announcement of the agreement on Modric.

Following the departures of Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong, manager Andre Villas-Boas will need cover at centre-half.

Talk of Ricardo Carvalhobeing part of the Modric agreement had resurfaced, although Madrid have now agreed a loan deal with QPR subject to personal terms.

Modric has been reluctant to say anything about his future for fear of upsetting Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Madrid chief Jose Mourinho last night fuelled speculation that even Nuri Sahin could be loaned to
Tottenham to bolster their midfield as Modric goes the other way.

Midfielder Sahin had been the target of loan bids from Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Special One did not speak about Modric in his pre-match Press conference before tonight’s Spanish Supercup first-leg clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

But he said: “I don’t want anything in particular with Sahin. I want him to play, I want him to go on loan from Madrid.

“I like the option of the Premier League because it can give him certain elements in his game that he doesn’t have at the moment. But where he goes is all the same to me.

“Really. It’s not true that I want him to go to one club instead of another. It’s the same for me wherever he goes.

“I just want the situation to be sorted as soon as possible because it is the best thing for him.”
Real want to see how Sahin progresses and either take him back or sell him for around £14m next summer.

Arsenal were confident they would get their man last week as a replacement for Alex Song.

But a deal has stalled, giving Liverpool and Spurs hope they might get the talented Turk.
Sahin, 24, favours a move to Arsenal because they are in the Champions League but is also seeking guarantees of first-team action.