We broke the news yesterday that Newcastle United had invited Dinamo Zagreb officials to Newcastle earlier in the week to discuss the transfer of their 22 year-old midfield star Luka Modric.
Luka Modric - deal already done and dusted?
This morning the Daily Telegraph is reporting the story, and says Newcastle are close to buying the highly-rated Croatian midfielder in a £12M deal, already agreed with Modric’s Dinamo Zagreb club.
Dinamo vice-president Zdravko Mamic met Newcastle representatives at Newcastle’s Malmaison hotel earlier this week for low-level talks, and we believe the deal could well be done and dusted.
The deal has been led by Newcastle’s new director of football, Dennis Wise, and the capture of Modric would be a huge coup for the Tyneside club and out new Recruitment team, as the player has attracted the attention of other top clubs Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, as we reported yesterday.
Mamic has even informally confirmed that Modric is near to finalizing the move to Newcastle, where manager Kevin Keegan is looking for extra top-class midfield talent. The Telegraph is even reporting that Modric may already be celebrating his huge move on a personal basis.
Modric had also been linked with Barcelona, but wanted to move to the Premier League.
It’s not clear if Modric arrives, what would happen to Emre, although Keegan may want to keep the Turkish midfield star. We need all the midfield talent we can get to fire the engine room of Kevin’s new team, currently under construction on Tyneside.
If the transfer does go through we believe it would be welcomed by the Newcastle faithful.
Comments welcome.
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107 responses so far ↓
1 Tom1664 // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:55
Pleae god. If you’re a geordie, just give us this.
2 kenneth // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:57
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_United_F.C.#Current_squad
Whats going on ? if we can trust the wiki? then the deal seems to be done?????????????????
Whats going on ?
3 obafemimartins // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:58
the telegraph agree with you on this one ed. looking good for nufc. we must have some power in the transfer makret if we are atracting these types of players. Come on the toon!!!!!!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/04/24/sfnnew124.xml
4 Grant // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:59
I have a feeling Emre is out in the summer to help raise cash for more transfers.
Modric would be a class signing, he made Lampard and Gerrard look like they were on a pub team when Croatia played England.
5 m. // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:59
this lad is related to Vodka - their mothers are cousins, something like that - I think he’ll sign for us, great addition to the squad.
6 51times // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:59
A rising star of European football, it’d be brilliant if we could get him in.
7 obafemimartins // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:02
it certainly seems like we have himi thought keegan said we arent going to sign many star players. if this is guy isnt counted as a star player i cnat wait until we do sign star players.
8 moomfan // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:02
well…lets see, young, talented, can play in cold climate, quality, and happy(hopefully loyal), that makes me feel good about this player. oh yeah, by the way, unlike the previous regimes at ST. JAMES, we seem to be tying things down early for the summer, as it should be… always. i just know that keegan is the only man for NEWCASTLE, just as fergie for manure and wenger for arses. howay the lads this week at west ham.
9 m. // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:04
off: i’ve heard some news from Tino, he was arrested in Colombia because he shot 32 times at a neighbour’s house, due to some trouble
10 Hadrian // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:08
its our new peter beardsley !
hope we get the lad , zagreb have a stand named after viduka apparently !! funny how thing’s like that happen .
maybe berbatov isnt so out of reach aswell ?
11 m. // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:10
we must have luck with this new eastern european, because the last one (Rozehnal) was pure shite.
12 y2j // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:17
Well it seems as though this rumour is gaining more and more momentum. If he does sign, hats off to Wise and co.
13 moomfan // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:47
i just wish there were more top quality brits around that age to bring in. seems as though we are skipping a generation in top quality players. the likes of owen, gerrard, lampard, actually the entire senior squad have not had any competition for their spots. and if this continues the entire prem league team sheets will be of foriegn nature. i just wish if every team had at least 4 brits in their starting line up, after all…ahhh, forget that, i’m just being nostalgic. forgive me football god. really, really, i just want newcastle to dominate, at least for about 3 or 4 campaigns throughout europe.
14 Ausgeordie // Apr 24, 2008 at 4:25
What are we all celebrating for? Call me cautious but there are so many rumours flying around that are complete rubbish that I would not assume anything (especially you Ed) until we hear it from Kev or Mort.
From the article above you’d think he had been paraded at St James. All weve got is one article that has inspired everyone else to jump on the bandwagon and rewrite the same thing. Its not an abundance of evidence, its rumours.
15 obamagic // Apr 24, 2008 at 4:34
I hope this is true. If it is then…YAYAYA!!! modric is a solid CAM
16 ginkoh // Apr 24, 2008 at 4:34
How about Archavin ??
17 51times // Apr 24, 2008 at 4:58
I think Arshevin could be put on the left wing if we did get him…he can also play up front and as a central attacking midfielder. Modric is younger and more talented anyway.
18 adam // Apr 24, 2008 at 4:59
it would be a fantastic signing for newcastle. good first signing for the keegan revolution!
hope this is just a taste of things to come during the summer
19 Patrick // Apr 24, 2008 at 6:51
If it’s true, I definitely feel over the moon! He’s really a first-class player!
20 Stami - PLAY CARROLL // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:35
i was really hoping that we would sign this youngster! didnt think it would happen but this sounds like good news! im still waiting for some kind of confirmation from KK or Mort as im sure the rest of us are!
21 Guinea Mag // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:40
If true, and hope it is, it’s a terrific first signing of the second KK era………
22 stumpofthetoon // Apr 24, 2008 at 7:50
hope this is true would be class come on the kegan revolution
23 Ant // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:23
Can I ask, someone must know.
How do we beat so many top clubs for players?
One of the key factors in a number of our signings have been “I like the city” and even the likes of Oba cite that as a reason for staying…Having lived in the toon all my life, (the whole 18 years of it haha) can I ask, WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE OTHER CITIES?
I love the toon but if this is as good as it gets…
Don’t know anything about this lad so decided to go with a pointless couple of questions…could be wors could be the usual tom_toon sh*te…
“Oh I’ve just watched Mwanbararu Kizzafelinquin play and he’s only 6 and a half years old, sign him now before he’s world class before he hits double figures, oh and his fellow countryman Nwararawara Belafunto seems a class act as well although perhaps too old for our side at a stately 12 years old”
24 aaron d // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:24
He’s a quality player and hopefully he signs and adampts to the preimer league, played well against england.
25 Ausgeordie // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:26
We should try and get a look at Jeremy Menez from AS Monaco. He has loads of pace and skills and would be a superb addition to the team.
If you aint heard if Jeremy Menez go to youtube you’ll be impressed
26 aaron d // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:37
remember Jeremy Menez when newcastle beat sochaux 4-0 in eufa cup few years back, he was only around 17 and was one of there better players, could see he had potential.
27 Ausgeordie // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:45
Check this out.
Jeremy menez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b0ijzDjagI&feature=related
lets get him!!!!!
28 Jimmie // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:48
Hope he signs for us before the European championship as hes price could rise if he plays the god stuff!
29 Nick Dryden // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:50
This would be a hell of a start if we cold get MODRIC. Forget the Riise’s and Gardners of this world, both disitinctly average and limited.
2 or 3 MODRIC type signings would completely transform us. Pandev and the young defender at Bilbao would also be great additions. maybe some more Croatians as well.
30 OzZyMagpiE // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:59
guyz is he a left or a right footer?
31 Obafan // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:04
If this is true, I’m excited but also cautious, cause lots of rubbish gets send into the world by the papers, then it is a fantastic deal.
Remember (sorry guys) England - Croatia; he was the engine of Croatia and Gerrard did not know how to handle him. That means he is top class and is still very young, so he will only get better.
Like someone said the deal should be confirmed before the EC2008 because his price will increase after that.
I hope now we willmove for Arshavin, another quality player, who will be a star at the ECC. I know he is suspended the first 2 games, but if Russia is able to qualify for the QF he will be the man to watch.
32 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:19
Seems like we are going for the great Sir Bobby’s strategy of getting a great young team… With Modric and the 2 other midfielders we are linked with McGeady and Lennon also rumored to be joining… Menez also sounds good, but we havnt ever been mentioned in regards to him before and perhaps signing both him and Mordic in the same season and both playing midfield would be a bit of a risk, considering how foreign players can receive a culture shock in the EPL…
33 Robert-Croatia // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:20
he can play with both foot,and he has a lethal right foot when taking a long shot,he scored so many goals from 20 yards and further,and he is Dinamo Zagreb captain
34 Eric // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:21
Watched Modric on YouTube. He looks classy and skilfull. An obvious KK type of player. But not sure about the media gossip about Sidwell. He would be a Chelsea reject. If he is not good enough for one of the Gang of Four why should he be good enough for us? He had his chance to move to NUFC but where did he go? To the bright lights and the subs bench. No more cast-offs please. We will not get into the Champions League with second-hand hand-me-downs from the Gang of Four. We need to build and succeed better than that!
35 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:21
he is two footed, quick and also is one of the neatest players you will see, much like carrick or moutinho. he will be going on the back of one of my tops next year if he comes. he is class.
36 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:23
Ozzymagpie… Regarding which foot he uses, i found this…
He uses both feet to play, and his biggest strength is his swift offensive positioning without the ball. He’s also one of few playmakers able to contribute on the defensive end as well. His lack of physical power contradicts his shooting, which has a surprising amount of power that make his shots on goal mostly effective. However, he has plenty of stamina and is very aggressive in one-on-one battles. His timing is perfect, and his passes are accurate.
37 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:25
Eric… Sidwell, might be a cheap good choice for the bench… Emre is always injured and we need a reliable squad, most of who knows the EPL well if we are going to build on our success…
38 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:28
How bout this team, using only players we have been linked with…
…………………..Harper………………….
.
.
Beye…..Dunne…Taylor….Bridge
.
.
Lennon..Carrick..Modric…McGeady
.
.
…………….Owen…..Dukes……………..
39 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:32
Btw, looked at a youtube video of Samir Nasri that allot of you guys have talked about… Imo he seems to lack vision and both passing and shooting ability.
40 Graeme // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:34
Sounds like a good start to the new signing campaign - now if we could get another couple of average world class players to go with him, like Eto’o and Messi, we would have the makings of a half decent team!!!!!
Just dreamin lads, just dreaming lol
41 Kash2 // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:34
Arshavin would be a welcomed buy too.
42 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:39
i would want arshavin, modric, moutinho, sidwell, arombrieta, dunne and bullard
43 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:45
Moutinho, Arshavin and Modric all play the same postion and each of them would cost loads of money, i dont think that would be very wise…
44 Hadji // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:50
All we need is to agree with his salary demands and he’s ours.It was written by the Croatian press that Newcastle was very generous with the transfer fee but when it came to Modric’s salaries they started acting as if they have a snake in their pockets.Lol
45 Gunnar Pétur / Iceland // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:50
This would with out a doubt prove to be a great signing for NUFC. BUT I won’t even think of celebrating until I see this guy wearing the black and white stripes. I’ll keep my fingers crossed until then.
46 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52
no they dont, arshavin is more left sided, moutinho is more a central midfielder, and modric can float, also all these signings would give great rotation, and are all young.
47 Matthew Tom // Apr 24, 2008 at 9:57
Yes he looks very good, just the sort of player I feel we should be looking for.
But he’s only been over for a cup of tea and a chat. Let’s wait til we see him in the shirt and shaking hands with Kev on the pitch.
48 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:00
Arsharvin CAN play all over, but has lately mostly been used behind the striker… Modric CAN play on the wing, but is used maily as a playmaker where his vision can be exploited the most… Moutinho is ALSO a playmaker… It seems to me all these guys are prefered as central offensive players, and buying them just because they are good and then playing them in their secondary position dosnt make any sense at all…
49 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:03
Furthermore, all of them would cost 10 millions, meaning 30 millions on playmakers alone… Imo, Modric is a great buy and after him we should start to look at a centre back and a left back… after that if there is more money, new wingers and a good def mid replacement for old Butt.
50 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:08
if we need wingers, it has to be lennon and someone like farfan, in january we all wanted wright-phillips, but in all honest truth, would anyone still want him?
51 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:11
I agree about Lennon, he is more direct and lets go of the ball earlier than Milner, and in all honesty Miners crossing isnt much better than Lennon’s.
52 toonarmy08 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:15
up the toon.if modric story is true then we have a great young talent on our hands.Get arshavin lennon mcgeady dunne and the boy from bilbao and we have very good team for nxt season.
53 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:20
we just need someone with blistering pace such as lennon, thats what we have been missing as the only player with pace to burn is oba, i used to like it when we had dyer and bellamy, we could break whenever and as quick as we liked, i liked the old sir bobby system with buy young and quick players. i still think its auwesome that viduka is modrics cousin, someone told me a while ago but only looked it up yesterday
54 marat18 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:20
Arshavin plays a bit different position than Modric, and he will costs around 8-10 mill. Andrei is a winger and Modric I guess is a central midfielder.
I would like to have both of them, but Modric is far better option as I see it.
Also I would glad to see us getting big strong stiker and CB.
Add here Riise and you will get:
———-Harper or Given———
Beye—–Taylor—-CB—Enrique
(Geremi)-(Faye)———-(Riise)
Arshavin-Barton-Modric-Milner
————(Butt)–(Emre)–(Duff)
—————Owen-FC
————(Martins)-(Viduka)
Dreams, dreams, dreams…
Sorry, my CD-drive is broken, so this site is the only place where I can play FM2008 :)))
55 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:22
We could have loads of pace if we also go after McGeady that we have been linked with… That would be 2 wings you didnt catch if you first lose them…
56 geordie nick // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:23
id rather have wright-phillips than lennon any day, wouldnt mind farfam though, and cant wait to see if this modric transfer is confirmed by kk or mort sometime soon
57 Graeme // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:24
Once the play-makers are sorted, a true “shearer” type of player, to replace the duke would be good. Wouldnt mind Crouch, but there must be better available in Europe and Africa.
Another LB to cover for Enrique would also be helpful - its going to be an interesting transfer window this year!!!!!
58 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:27
Marat18
Arshavin graduated from Smena football school. In 1999 and early 2000 he played for Zenit’s farm club, Zenit-2, in the Second Division.
In 2000 he was included in Zenit squad. He played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and finally adopted second striker’s role playing on a flank or behind a target man
(From Wikipedia… Go read it)
59 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:28
Graeme… True, but who?… Cant really think of who could do the job
60 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:34
And btw, we dont need another Left Back to cover for Enrique, we need Enrique to cover for another left back…
61 Dom4Toon // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:36
Exciting stuff!!!
please please be true!!!
62 toonhitman // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:36
lets not get carried away yet its not a done deal
63 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:40
no way, i like enrique alot, give him next season, we need cover for him. anyway, anyone know what the croation press are saying today about the transfer?
64 marat18 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:41
valle
I know who Arshavin is - seen him a lot watching Russian league and national team.
You can say that he is a second striker playing on a flank. Yes, he is. Zenith plays counter-attacking football, so it means that “second striker playing on a flank” plays as a winger.
BTW, today is UEFA cup semi, Bayern Munich vs Zenith S-Pb.
Wiki is not always correct.
65 Michael // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:45
Am working down in London at the moment and had a very interesting dinner with a sensible Chelsea fan last night. Apparently Joe Cole is very unhappy at the moment and Wise is using his connections to help the process along. Also, if Wenger wants miserable Charlie so much what about a swap for Walcott? Or Clichy plus cash?
66 milnerfan // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:45
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1081523.ece done deal?
67 Geordie Lumberjack // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:48
I would love it, love it!
68 Leo // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:50
bloody hell its getting to be hysteria on hear with this little rumour, its a hoax im so sure.
gutted though because it would be a great signing
69 THELONGSHANKS // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:54
If we pull of this transfer id say this team for next season.
given
alves,kompany,terry,lahm
ronaldo,modric,kaka,messi
huntelaar,villa
280 million for the lot so ashley has 620million left to sit back and watch his new team and decide who goes on the back of his new jersey?
70 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:55
leo, what you mean its a hoax, i think its to good to be true but it seems as though it is true.
71 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:57
Marat18… Wiki is as true a source as you can get (On the net i might add), but in regards to the comment about a second striker on the flank being a winger, i dont agree… at least thats not how i see a winger (Which i feel should lie in midfield)… What you are talking about is simply a left sided attacker.
72 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 24, 2008 at 10:59
id prefer owen than villa, i cant stand him, always goes missing in the big games, remmber against chelsea?? he was shocking, thats why im not bothred if man united or arsenal or anyone signs him, he is sooo weak also.
73 marat18 // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:07
valle
yes, but when your team is sitting deep and waiting for counter-attack, then flank striker does what usualy wingers do - run down the flank and create moments for striker(s) or sometimes act on his own.
Anyway - that how I see it
And this is KK who we deal with - his wingers always were attacking-minded.
74 CRAIGG // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:09
Lads i would love this to happen, but dont forget Woodgate was a done deal in January and that went pearshaped
We are also linked with SWP and Sidwell today SWP as Milners long term competion on the right, And Sidwell as Butts long term replacement as he has played mostly as a DM at Chelsea.
75 Spyro // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:17
on Newsnow.com there are a couple of chelsea blogs bitterly complaining about us potentially stealing modric from under avram grants nose, hahahah
76 Dondatta13 // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:29
Guys, IF theres a GOD we would throw our hat in the ring for this fella Rafeal Van Der Vaart. How long will he be happy to stay at HSV. Kevin Keegan played at HSV from 1979-1982 ; )
This guy would be a dream signing OMG, imagine him in a the famous black & white of NUFC.
Well …… He’d be better than the last #23 to grace SJP in the toon strip lol (Shola Bambi-obi)
Heres a mouth watering link to feast your eyes on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYujRdlyGJ8&feature=related
77 Robert from Serbia // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:46
the deal with Luka Modric is already done !!!he signed for Newcastle,and he already told his friends to make a party….and the president of Dinamo told that the deal is done,just some personal thins need to be finished…Newcastle did make highest bid,and around 15 mill !
78 aaron d // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:50
whats your source Robert from Serbia?
79 geordie nick // Apr 24, 2008 at 12:28
now all we need is to hear kk or mort come out and confirm this deal, but from what i have been reading i am confident that he is comin 2 the toon!!!! FINGERS CROSSED EH LADS!!!!
80 Toon_Ksk // Apr 24, 2008 at 12:41
OMG OMG OMG!!! FVCK YES!!!
81 Robert from Serbia // Apr 24, 2008 at 12:49
http://www.net.hr/sport/page/2008/04/23/0268006.html
http://www.jutarnji.hr/sport/nogomet/clanak/art-2008,4,23,,117074.jl
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/dogovor-vrlo-blizu-mamici-jucer-u-newcastleu-pregovarali-o-prodaji-modrica/383980.aspx
this is my source aaaron d….if u know Croatian,then read
82 Frankieboy // Apr 24, 2008 at 13:01
Lets hope this happens cos once the first big name comes thro the door the rest will follow to KK the Pied Piper of attacking football worldwide.
Wot about David Bentley as an alternative to SWP. 2 months ago it wasn’t possible but now who knows.
Bet Woodgate is regretting move South.
83 sam gardner // Apr 24, 2008 at 13:01
i hope its done cmon the toon oh also we should look at vagner love for striker brilliant player look up on youtube and i have seen him player not anorther champ man player
84 toonhitman // Apr 24, 2008 at 13:46
ive just heard that modric is vidukas cousin is this true
85 tdt // Apr 24, 2008 at 14:10
whats your source Robert from Serbia?
86 Dondatta13 // Apr 24, 2008 at 14:34
Did I mention Rafeal Van Der Vaart? lol please please pleaaaaaaaaaaase buy him KK lol
87 Robert from Serbia // Apr 24, 2008 at 14:48
i heard that Viduka called Modric to Newcastle…They are both croatian,only viduka choosed to play for Australia….and Viduka played for Dinamo before he joined Celtic.So,we should thank to Viduka !
88 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 14:49
Enough with Van der Vaart… Here we are, closing in on one of the worlds most sought after talents, and ppl still rave about other playmakers we should buy… Have you guys any idea how big a deal this is for us if it goes through?… Just be glad ok, and stop the Diego, Van Der Vaart, Mourinho and Deco campaigns please…
89 marat18 // Apr 24, 2008 at 15:08
Here we go:
Harper
Arshavin - Emre - Barton - Modric
Diego - Moutinho - Van der Vaart- Deco
Owen - Martins
looks decent for me
90 Ross // Apr 24, 2008 at 15:09
like i’ve already said on the previous entry to the blog, i’m waiting till i hear something from an official, but i’d love it to be true.
us signing this lad would be a huge coup for the club, would be a brilliant name.
91 valle // Apr 24, 2008 at 15:23
Marat18… That would surely be a team worthy of being called the entertainers… we would win or lose with 10+ goals
92 chuck // Apr 24, 2008 at 16:21
Given-Harper
Beye-Colloccini Bridge-Enrique
faye - dunne taylor-kompany
wright phillips-Veloso-modric-McGeady
Milner- Geremy N`zogbia -duff
Owen-Bent
Martins-Viduka
93 meiny_obano9 // Apr 24, 2008 at 16:26
if this is true then this is propa amazin. did u c him for croatia against england. he was class. it seems to be true because on the sky sports website it says he has been to the training ground. cant wait to see who else could be coming in.
94 Stephen // Apr 24, 2008 at 16:47
These are the signings we should be making good quailty young players..
Not going for the likes of Henry……
Dont get me wrong Good player world class but never going to help us in the long term
95 Gareth // Apr 24, 2008 at 19:02
God, I hope Robert from Croatia’s sources are right - this would be a huge signing. Not getting my hopes up, though - given his reputation and the number of big clubs interested in him I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a ruse to get a bigger transfer fee / wage from a Champion’s League club. Anyone remember our attempts to sign Wayne Rooney and George Weah?
96 tinno // Apr 24, 2008 at 19:56
The thing about Luka Modric is that he is not just one or even two dimensional. When he is allowed to play without any specific markers on the field, you could compare his play and talent with the ones of Diego of Werder. But when he gets strictly guarded by one or more defenders he doesn’t stop and get lost in the game, he runs his socks off for the team and then you can compare him to Gerrard or Lampard.
His natural position is offensive midfielder or plain midfielder, he’s got great pace and technique but his greatest quality are his one on one skils and his through ball, the last pass to the strikers. In the 4-4-2 formation he played few games for Dinamo on the left side that allows him to cut the defense to the right and take a shot at goal, which by the way he does perfectly. He has played on the right side for Croatia, and he also has played few games as a defensive midfielder, always being one of the best players on the pitch because of his “never give up” mentality and giving 110% every time he gets on the field.
He is the fans idol, only his and Eduardo’s names have been sung on the terraces in recent years. Dinamo Zagreb had a fantastic generation these years, and first birds that flew from the nest were Eduardo in Arsenal and Corluka in Man City. After them, Pokrivac went to Monaco and Shieldenfeld to Besiktas. There is Vukojevic who is a Celtic target and Niko Kranjcar has been the youngest captain of Dinamo. I am saying this because Luka Modric is considered the best of them all, and the only “keep your hands off” player.
Some NUFC supporters might compare him to Silvio Maric or question the price that could be paid for him. Maric was a terrific player in Dinamo, but he’s been a “city guy”, slick, party guy. A big star in Zagreb, but when he stayed all alone and far away from home where he had to fight hard to even get a game he flopped. He has always depended on his talent only, and that’s not the way you succeed in England. Luka isn’t like him at all. He loves working hard, getting the beatings on the pitch and then giving even more. When there are no conditions for a pretty play, he gets right there in the mud and is the last man standing. As for the price, if we want to get any good player, we have to pay more than anyone. We are the only great club that can’t offer European football, so we have to compensate. And if we don’t get him, some of the big sharks will….
And to end this review, this is not just my subjective opinion taken from the games against some weak Croatian League teams. He’s played many big games, and never let down. Just to name few….Arsenal, Auxerre, Werder, Ajax, Basel, HSV, Rennes, England, Brasil, Argentina, Russia. His debut was a friendly against Argentina and from that moment on he’s been irreplaceable in the national team. And keep in mind, he’s only 22.
Copy of my post on nufcmedia.co.nr
97 cupiddstunt // Apr 24, 2008 at 20:35
Ok Marat18… why bother with a keeper just go the whole hog and fling on another striker
98 whitey // Apr 24, 2008 at 22:12
just joining in on this one, i tell you, id love it if we signed this one, just love it. if this comes off, its the first signal of intent from kk and the ncastle heirachy. this is the signing we need to make, a young player who is a future superstar, nab him earlier before everyonje else makes a move. just wondering who has promted this? keegan himself or dennis wise
99 Dondatta13 // Apr 24, 2008 at 22:24
Valle, I get the point that this kid is an awesome talent BUT just say for arguments sake we went out and purchased BOTH him AND Van der Vaart, would you complain?
This “signing”, is just speculation untill he has put pen to paper. With a BILLIONAIRE owning the club these days, we as supporters, are allowed to dream. So I for one WILL NOT QUIT with the Van der Vaart chat! lol why should I ? Our clubs owned by a billionaire supporter :> happy days mate dream on or jogg on, your call
100 Tom_Toon // Apr 24, 2008 at 22:26
van der Vaart is incredibly unrealistic, bizzarely he went to HSV when he was on course to be future world footballer of the year, now he is getting up to standard.
Modric is a different kettle of fish, he plays in croatia and is croatian.
101 Newcastle United. // Apr 24, 2008 at 23:53
Harper
Beye Taylor Metzelder Riise
Milner Barton Van der Vaart Modric
Owen(c) Berbatov. Why not?
102 richie // Apr 24, 2008 at 23:59
steven ireland and sebastian larsson,,,,
why not
103 Tom_Toon // Apr 25, 2008 at 0:02
Steven Ireland, ahahah, pretty much all the man city fans hate him, they say he is rubbish and his passing is dire.
104 51times // Apr 25, 2008 at 0:54
I’ve always thought Van der Vaart going to HSV was really strange.
105 Dondatta13 // Apr 25, 2008 at 1:19
Tom_Toon, Again, I get what your saying BUT, like you say Van der Vaart was heading for world domination (ohh-err mrs lol) but took a transfer to HSV!!??!!??
Now, I remember when we smashed the world record for Wor Al. That was a bolt from the blue, nobody expected that really did they? (yes he was a toon supporter, but still, we had to slap down a hefty fee). Again, with Owen, I remember thinking “we dont stand a chance” during the long drawn out will he wont he sign saga. So I wouldnt say Van der Vaart is unrealistic.
We have a billionaire owner who supports NUFC. We cannot offer European footy (yet! lol) but we can offer Premiership football. A regular start. Along with handsome wages, 52K support every other week and a manager that will no doubt play open attacking, entertaining football. All the better because with KK at the club, he’s actually done it all in the past. I think we were most peoples “second team” back then & not just in England, across the planet!!! Hell, KK even played for HSV lol
All we need is one top class signing then the rest will follow. If we sign this kid Modric, people will sit up and take note.
106 cupiddstunt // Apr 25, 2008 at 19:20
Some good points there Dd13 people keep on banging the drum on not being able to offer European football, with the right players coming in that could be just for one season we could very well be able to offer European football at the end of next season.
So KK is very good at persuading people to see his plan and if he is anywhere near successful at getting them in we could well be in Europe by 09 then some better players again and who knows where from there.
107 maxg // Apr 26, 2008 at 2:31
Sorry!! Modric has just signed for spurs
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