Jose Mourinho: 'Chelsea tried to sign Luka Modric'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he tried to bring Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric to Stamford Bridge, before he signed Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.

However, the ex-Spurs playmaker decided against linking up with the Portuguese coach in West London, opting instead to stay at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti: "I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want [to join] Chelsea. You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities, but he stays in Real Madrid."

The Blues are unlikely to rekindle their interest in the player after the capture of Fabregas, with Mourinho having insisted that the club have completed their summer spending, the Daily Star claims.

Modric joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.