Real Madrid targeting one-cap England man as Modric replacement
Leicester City playmaker James Maddison is reportedly being eyed up as Luka Modric’s replacement at Real Madrid.
Modric turns 37 in September and is out of contract at the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.
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According to Fichajes (via Caught Offside), Real Madrid are interested in signing Maddison to replace the veteran Croatian midfielder.
Maddison joined Leicester from Norwich City in 2018 for a reported £22.5m fee. He is now worth £45m, according to Transfermarkt.
The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals and assisted seven in 40 appearances this term. On Sunday, he helped the Foxes to a 2-1 victory against Brentford by scoring a wonderful first-half free-kick.
Despite his terrific form for Leicester over the years, Maddison only has one England cap to his name due to the stern competition in his position.
Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount and Emile Smith Rowe have all been picked ahead of the ex-Norwich man by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
Maddison operates mostly as No. 10, meaning he is not too similar to Modric, who could leave Real Madrid this summer.
As well as Modric, midfield stalwarts Casemiro and Toni Kroos are in their thirties, meaning a midfield shake-up could be necessary in the summer transfer window.
Isco and Gareth Bale are also out of contract at the end of 2021/22.
The Three Lions face Switzerland and the Ivory Coast in friendlies this month. The defensive duo are joined in the squad by Sam Johnstone and Ollie Watkins.
These additions come after Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tammy Abraham withdrew from the 25-man squad through injury.
It is 22-year-old Mitchell’s first involvement with England at any level while Walker-Peters, a 2017 Under-20 World Cup winner, has made nine appearances for the under-21s.