La Liga
Luka Modric could continue competing at the highest level for one more season. According to information from Nicolò Schira, AC Milan is in talks with the veteran Croatian midfielder to extend his time at San Siro for the 26/27 season. The player, who is currently without a club after finishing his contract with the Rossoneri, is free to negotiate his future, and all signs point to the option of staying in Italy gaining a lot of momentum, according to the latest transfer market rumors.
The situation of Luka Modric had been uncertain after Croatia's elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Portugal. The midfielder, one of the prominent figures in recent European football history, faced this summer as a crucial moment to decide whether to continue playing or end a legendary career. However, AC Milan wants to retain him, and the player seems willing to consider a proposal that would allow him to experience one last season at the top.
AC Milan Wants to Keep Luka Modric: Rúben Amorim, Key in Negotiations with the Former Real Madrid Player
AC Milan's interest in Luka Modric stems from a very clear idea: maintaining experience, leadership, and quality in a squad that will embark on a new era under Rúben Amorim's management.
The Portuguese coach, the new Rossoneri head coach, is already in direct talks with the Croatian to understand his feelings and determine what role he would be willing to take on during the 26/27 season. It is not just a sporting matter but also a matter of managing the dressing room.
At his age, Luka Modric is no longer a player to play every minute or to bear the physical burden of a team throughout a season. However, his value remains significant in specific contexts.
His game reading, ability to control matches, and experience on big nights are compelling arguments for an AC Milan that aims to compete with more maturity. In a squad with young talents, having a player of his caliber can make a difference on and off the field.
The key will be the role. Luka Modric must decide if he accepts a more limited function, with less prominence in minutes but still a real importance in the project.
AC Milan is not only looking to renew a historic name out of romance but to capitalize on what he can still offer. In tight matches, during high-pressure moments, or in European nights, the Croatian remains a player capable of changing the pace and making possession meaningful.
The presence of Rúben Amorim could be pivotal in the negotiation. The new AC Milan coach aims to build a competitive, intense team with a recognizable identity but also understands the need for references to accelerate that process.
In this context, Luka Modric emerges as an ideal figure to assist in the transition. Not only for his quality but also for what he represents in a professional sense.
The discussions between them could tip the balance. Rúben Amorim will have to explain to the player what is expected of him, how he fits into the plans, and what his importance would be within the group.
For Luka Modric, this point will be crucial. If he chooses to continue, it won't be out of necessity but because he still believes he can compete and contribute in a demanding environment. The Croatian doesn't want to prolong his career aimlessly; he wants to do so if he feels useful.
AC Milan, on its part, sees a one-season renewal as a logical step. It doesn't commit the club long-term, allows for maintaining a player of significant weight, and provides room to assess his performance throughout the season.
Furthermore, from a team perspective, the continuity of Luka Modric would signal ambition and stability amid significant summer changes.
Croatia's elimination against Portugal could have been the last major international episode for Luka Modric, but it doesn't have to mark the end of his football career.
The midfielder left the 2026 World Cup with doubts about his future, aware that each decision at this stage carries a special weight. Retirement was on the table, but AC Milan's call has changed the scenario.
For the player, continuing for another season at San Siro would make sense if the project convinces him. Italy offers a competitive league but less physically demanding than others, and AC Milan allows him to remain at a historic club with significant aspirations.
Moreover, working under Rúben Amorim could offer him a different role, focused more on managing games and internal leadership rather than accumulating minutes.
All signs indicate that the operation could end with a new one-season contract. The agreement still needs to be finalized, but the indications point in that direction.
Luka Modric still has market value, prestige, and, above all, football left in him. AC Milan knows this and wants to harness it before the Croatian makes a definitive decision about his retirement.
If he eventually signs, it will be one of those renewals that blend present and legacy. Luka Modric wouldn't arrive to live off his past but to contribute what he still possesses: intelligence, composure, authority, and a competitiveness that very few players maintain for so long. AC Milan aims to convince him, Rúben Amorim is already working on it, and the Croatian seems increasingly closer to giving himself one last shot at the elite.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¡El Milan negocia con Luka Modric!
