CHELSEA EDGE AHEAD OF REAL MADRID IN LUKA MODRIC RACE

[RoterTeufel]

CHELSEA EDGE AHEAD OF REAL MADRID IN LUKA MODRIC RACE

CHELSEA have been boosted in their pursuit of Luka Modric, as Real Madrid are unable to offer the Tottenham star first-team football.

The Croatian international is one of the hottest properties in this summer's transfer market, after he reportedly told Spurs bosses he was determined to leave.

Spanish giants Real were thought to be leading the race for the 26-year-old, despite their concerns over the high transfer fee being demanded by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

But, according to reports in Spain, Jose Mourinho's inability to offer Modric a starting place could open the door for a move to Chelsea.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich had a series of bids rejected for the former Dinamo Zagreb star last summer.

And the Russian billionaire is reported to have told the ace he would return for him again this year.

Spurs would prefer to sell their prize asset to a foreign club, rather than strengthen one of their major rivals.

But with Modric almost certainly guaranteed a starting position at Stamford Bridge, he may reject the lure of the Spanish champions to stay in the Premier League.

Real are still likely to bid for Modric, despite already boasting a long list of world-class midfielders such as Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso.

But Spanish newspaper Marca have suggested that Modric would start at the back of the queue for a starting place at the Bernabeu.