Real Madrid: Florentino Perez already has an unexpected replacement lined up for Luka Modric

Luka Modric is an excellent midfielder. He signed for Real Madrid nine years ago and always has been a regular starter. Jose Mourinho brought him in and Zinedine Zidane converted him into a world class player, who reached his peak in 2018, reaching the World Cup final with Croatia and winning Ballon d'Or.

But he is 35 years old and he has not much time left at the top level. And Zidane will not be the Real Madrid manager for much longer, so Florentino Perez already has a signing in mind to take his place. He is 24 years old and is impressing everybody with the season he is having at Real Sociedad.

And that player is Mikel Merino. Don Balon reported that the Casa Blanca would be willing to pay 40 million euro needed to convince his club of letting him go. Actually, Florentino wanted to sign him when he was playing for Osasuna some years ago, but the transfer did not come true.

Merino has also the experience of knowing other leagues after playing for Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United. And last year, he made his senior debut with Spain national team. He has been progressing slowly, but Florentino Perez think he is ready to take the place of one of the best players of the planet.