Ex-Barcelona scout Krkic: We were speaking to Modric before Tottenham

Former Barcelona scout Bojan Krkic Snr has recalled trying to sign Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.

Krkic is the father of former Barca striker Bojan Krkic and worked for the club as a scout.

He told El Bar de Pique: "Before Modric signed for Tottenham (in 2008), (former Croatia international and current UEFA Chief of Football) Zvonimir Boban called me and said 'I've got a player here for you'. I told him to send me a video because I always like to take a look at a player and form my own opinion of him. He sent me a video of him playing really well in the Croatian leagueoh my goodess!

I called him again and, as well as that, he told me that as a person and as a professional, in terms of intelligence, he's like a God. I met with Modric and his girlfriend at the Hotel Princesa Sofia near Camp Nou, they came to spend a few days in Barcelona. Obviously, he was really keen to sign, he spoke perfect English when the waiters came over or whoever spoke to him, he was very polite. I was working with Txiki Berigistien, Bara's technical director at the time, and I told him all this.

But at that time, Iniesta was on his rise to the top, Xavi was already playing. There was more than enough cover in midfield. And Txiki really knew what to do in that kind of situation, the same happened with Franck Ribry when Lionel Messi was coming through. Txiki didn't want to block the path for any incredibly talented young players.

That's what happened with Modric, who signed for Tottenham. And then he went to Real Madrid."