Manchester United target Luka Modric could be on his way to Spanish giants Real Madrid, according to his Croatian compatriot Mate Bilic.

Bilic, who plays for Sporting Gijon, said he has been told by Modric, that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder would like a move to Spain, rather than staying in the Premier League.

Modric is expected to leave Spurs, after the North London club missed out on Champions League qualification for the second-straight year. Manchester United were considered to be the frontrunners to sign the highly-coveted 26-year-old playmaker with European champions Chelsea also understood to be in the running. Tottenham turned down a big-money bid from Chelsea for Modric last summer.

"I'm very good friends with Modric," Croatia striker 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."

Jose Mourinho is a know admirer of Modric's talents and will be keen to bring in Modric to Madrid to bolster the midfield, while the Croatian has also been linked with a move to Barcelona in the past.

Former Croatia and Real Madrid striker Davor Suker said Modric would fit perfectly in Real Madrid. "Luka Modric is a player who could play for Real Madrid. He needs to be playing for a team that will win trophies," Suker said.

"He'd be perfect for them. I would recommend that Florentino Perez signs him. If he doesn't sign for Real Madrid, he'll end up at Manchester City or Chelsea. He has to leave Tottenham to win trophies."

Modric has refused to talk about his future, saying he is concentrating on Croatia's campaign in Euro 2012. The 26-year-old, however, was appreciative of Suker's praise. "I am proud he thinks I could be a Real Madrid player," Modric said.

"It's good. I thank him a lot for his words."