Mate Bilic: 'Luka Modric close to Spain move'

Luka Modric is close to moving to Spain, according to a close friend of the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.

The 26-year-old's future at White Hart Lane is in doubt following the North London club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are among a host of clubs reportedly interested in Modric, who recently stated that he was pleased to be linked with the La Liga giants.

Sporting Gijon striker Mate Bilic, who is a former international teammate of Modric, has hinted that the Spurs playmaker's departure from England is imminent.

"I'm very good friends with Modric," Bilic told the Daily Mail. "He wants to play in the Spanish league. He loves the Premier League but he wants to play in Spain. He's very close to agreeing a move."

Tottenham and Croatia defender Vedran Corluka had recently stated that Spurs would find it difficult to keep Modric this summer.