Manchester United are interested in bringing Real Madrid star Luka Modric to Old Trafford this season and could use the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer to their advantage, according to Transfermarketweb (h/t Daily Star).

The Croatian midfielder was in wonderful touch as the national side defeated England to reach their first ever World Cup final, where they face France.

However, the report claims that Modric is unhappy about Ronaldo leaving Madrid and signing for Juventus. Even though the player is expected to be given a new contract at the La Liga club, Jose Mourinho has made the Croatian a priority signing this season.

Modric joined Real from Tottenham in 2012 and has been immense for Los Galacticos, with his control in the heart of the park. Mourinho is looking to bolster his side and take Manchester City head on for the Premier League title, and wants Modric at Old Trafford.

While bringing the Croatian would be a good move, the player being 32 years old means he would only have a few years of top-level football left in him.

Modric was great during his time at Tottenham but the game has changed a lot since then and we already have a number of options for our midfield, with Fred joining us this season and Marouane Fellaini also getting a contract extension.

Read more: £100m star tops Mourinho’s Serie A wish list – triple raid on the cards

As Modric has a contract at Real until 2020, it would be tough for us to sign him on the cheap. The La Liga club would look to get top dollar for their World Cup star and if he picks up the trophy, there would be little chance of us getting him for a reasonable price then.