Boban admits Dinamo Zagreb tried to sign Modric: “I’m glad it was Milan”

Zvonimir Boban has admitted that he wanted to bring Luka Modric to Dinamo Zagreb this summer, having made a serious attempt before the midfielder chose AC Milan. 

While a move to Milan had been talked about for quite a few years, given Modric’s boyhood links to the club, few expected it to materialise this late in the midfielder’s career. Nevertheless, Igli Tare helped make it happen in the summer and so far, it has been a huge success.

One person who is looking at the move with a bittersweet attitude is Zvonimir Boban, the former Milan player and director. Currently working as the president of Dinamo Zagreb, the 57-year-old recently admitted that he tried to sign Modric this summer.

Indeed, a serious attempt was made to convince the 40-year-old, who eventually decided to go with Milan instead. When asked about the interest during a recent members’ meeting (via 24sata), Boban said that Modric joining the Rossoneri was the second-best outcome in the end.

“It’s unfortunate that Real Madrid didn’t allow Modric to finish his career there, at the club where he left his mark on football in an epic way. It’s rare to see a player with such class. It’s too bad they didn’t let him finish his career there.

“We had a dream of bringing him back to the club. There were contacts, but there weren’t too many responses from the other side. We saw the opportunity, but Luka chose another club. Since it wasn’t Dinamo, I’m glad it was Milan.”