REVEALED: Luka Modric nearly joined Manchester City for just £10m

Manchester City could have signed Luka Modric for just £10million-but could not afford him. Pep Guardiola’s side tried to get Modric in 2008 but it was before Sheikh Mansouur took over the club. Former Manchester City club Secretary Bernard Halford revealed a deal was lined up for the Dinamo Zagreb Midfielder. Halford, who is now a life president at the Etihad, said: “When Dr Shinawatra was here we could have signed Modric. “Shinawatra was very excited – he had come to me to say we were about to make a big signing, one of the best players in the world, and that's who it was. “Charlie Corluka had lined it up for Modric to come to us, but when the money was needed, Shinawatra's money was frozen in Thailand. “He came to me on the first day of the season to say he had to resign, so we didn't get Modric. “It would have been for around £10million – and now he's in for the Ballon D'Or.” The Croatian midfielder instead joined Tottenham and impressed during his four years at Spurs, earning himself a £30m move to Real Madrid in 2012, where he has established himself as one of the best players in the world.

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