Tottenham midfielder Modric to fly to Spain to complete Real Madrid move

By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Luka Modric is poised to fly to Spain on Thursday to finalise a £30 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid.

The midfielder will jet into the Spanish capital after appearing for Croatia in their friendly against Switzerland on Wednesday night.

Sources have told Goal.com that Real have agreed a fee worth £30m with Spurs for Modric to finally bring an end to the long-running transfer saga.

Modric is expected to have a medical with the Spanish champions in the next 48 hours before putting pen to paper on a deal.

The 26-year-old has been in limbo since demanding a transfer to Real earlier in the summer.

He failed to report on time for pre-season training and refused to go on the north Londoners’ pre-season tour to the United States.

This came 12 months after he asked for a move from White Hart Lane to Chelsea, which Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to sanction despite a £40m bid from the European champions days before the end of the August 2011 window.

BREAKING NEWS: Tottenham midfielder Modric to fly to Spain to complete Real Madrid move

By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Luka Modric is poised to fly to Spain on Thursday to finalise a £30 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid.

The Croatian will jet into the Spanish capital after appearing for Croatia in their friendly against Switzerland on Wednesday night.

Sources have told Goal.com that Real have agreed a fee worth £30m with Spurs for Modric to finally bring an end to the long-running transfer saga.

Modric is expected to have a medical with the Spanish champions in the next 48 hours before putting pen to paper on a deal.

The 26-year-old has been in limbo since demanding a transfer to Real earlier in the summer.

He failed to report on time for pre-season training and refused to go on the north Londoners’ pre-season tour to the United States.

This came 12 months after he asked for a move from White Hart Lane to Chelsea, which Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to sanction despite a £40m bid from the European champions days before the end of the August 2011 window.

Messi: There's no Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry

Lionel Messi has played down the idea that he has a big personal rivalry with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old Argentine striker has been speaking to the media ahead of Argentina playing Germany in a friendly on Wednesday evening in Frankfurt.

And when asked about his nomination for the Ballon d’Or and his relationship with the Madrid attacker he dismissed speculation that there is any animosity between the pair.

“With Cristiano [Ronaldo] there’s no problem. It all comes from the media. I’ve never competed with Cristiano or fought against him,” the 2011 winner told Ole.

“There is no kind of anger between us, only respect, but I would love for Iniesta or Xavi, who have for many years attained many important achievements such as the World Cup and European Championship, to win it should I fail.

“Obviously Ronaldo, who is a great player, as well as [Iker] Casillas, have naturally been discussed in the race for the prize too, but my friendship with both my team-mates presides.”

The record-breaking Messi has already been named beside Iniesta and Ronaldo as the three finalists to win the Uefa Best Player in Europe Award.

Messi: I would prefer Xavi or Iniesta to win the Ballon d'Or, instead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi has played down the idea that he has a big personal rivalry with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old Argentine striker has been speaking to the media ahead of Argentina playing Germany in a friendly on Wednesday evening in Frankfurt.

And when asked about his nomination for the Ballon d’Or and his relationship with the Madrid attacker he dismissed speculation that there is any animosity between the pair.

“With Cristiano [Ronaldo] there’s no problem. It all comes from the media. I’ve never competed with Cristiano or fought against him,” the 2011 winner told Ole.

“There is no kind of anger between us, only respect, but I would love for Iniesta or Xavi, who have for many years attained many important achievements such as the World Cup and European Championship, to win it should I fail.

“Obviously Ronaldo, who is a great player, as well as [Iker] Casillas, have naturally been discussed in the race for the prize too, but my friendship with both my team-mates presides.”

La Pulga has already been drawn beside Iniesta and Ronaldo as the three finalists to win the Uefa Best Player in Europe Award.

Iniesta: No Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry in Spain squad

Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo

Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo

Andres Iniesta has revealed that there are no problems in the Spain dressing room, explaining that there is no rivalry between players from La Liga’s big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The star midfielder was speaking in a press conference after his nomination for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award. After being named on a shortlist of three, he specifically thanked his team-mates for their support.

The Blaugrana magician is in the running to win the individual accolade alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Iniesta feels honoured to have made it to the final three.

“Rivalry [between] Barca-Madrid players? At the national team, we have one goal, at our clubs we don’t. On the pitch, there is no problem,” he said.

He then went on to speak about his recognition, paying credit to his fellow players.

“I’m very proud of my nomination as one of the three players who are still in the race for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award,” Iniesta said.

“My team-mates at Barcelona and Spain deserve all the credit for my nomination. Without them, I would not have made the final three on the shortlist for the trophy.”

The individual award, created in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM), recognises the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a Uefa member association during the previous season.