Ruben Amorim attempts to convince Luka Modric to stay at AC Milan

New AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has identified the short-term future of Luka Modric as a top priority. The Portuguese tactician views the 40-year-old not just as a rotational option, but as a fundamental cornerstone for the culture he intends to build at the club.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Amorim has already held personal talks with the Croatian international. The manager is keen for Modric to trigger the one-year extension clause in his current deal, believing his elite mentality and technical quality remain essential for the team.

Luka Modric remains a fundamental cornerstone for the dressing room culture I intend to build in Milan. Ruben Amorim

While formal paperwork is pending, both parties are aligned on extending the partnership. Personal factors, including his daughter’s positive experience in the Milan academy, have bolstered Modric’s comfort in Italy. Although he initially had reservations regarding the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League, the challenge of leading Milan through a competitive European League campaign has reignited his motivation.

If the extension is finalised, Modric’s role will evolve under Amorim. The manager plans to move away from rigid defensive structures and implement a demanding, attacking blueprint. Rather than expecting the veteran to play every minute, Amorim intends to use Modric with surgical precision, leveraging his vision in specific intervals to maximise his impact throughout a gruelling season.