Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka admitted his admiration for Luka Modric, with the Spanish club heavily linked with a move for the Tottenham Hotspur playmaker.
Real are considered to be the favorites to seal the Croatian's signature, with Paris St Germain, Manchester United and Chelsea also credited with an interest.
Modric has made it clear to Spurs he wants to leave, with the 26-year-old refusing to travel with the club to their pre-season tour of the U.S., much to the chagrin of new manager Andre Villas-Boas and chairman Daniel Levy.
Real are unwilling to match the asking price of £40 million ($62 million), with Modric reportedly already agreeing personal terms with the Spanish champions. Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the playmaker, and sees him as the perfect long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso. Modric is also expected to bolster the midfield, with the expected departure of Brazilian Kaka.
Karanka, Mourinho's assistant, confirmed Real would love Modric to join the club. "Which club would not want a player like him?" Karanka told AS.
"He is an outstanding footballer and had a great tournament (at Euro 2012). It is clear that he would fit in Madrid."
Kaka is expected to end an injury-prone spell at Real, with former club AC Milan or PSG the likely destination, although the 30-year-old did admit his admiration for the English Premier League recently.
Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion inked the signing of Argentine international Claudio Yacob on a free transfer, subject to international clearance.
The midfielder has been training with the Baggies, following his release by Argentinian side Racing Club de Avellaneda. The 25-year-old signed a three-year deal with the club.
"I'm delighted to welcome Claudio to the club," West Brom manager, Steve Clarke, told the club's official website.
"He is an Argentina international with a real desire to prove himself in the Premier League and it's great to have him on board.
"Claudio's got different qualities to the other midfielders we've got at the club and he should complement the squad very well.
"It will take him a little bit of time to adjust to the demands of the English game and he's also got to learn our language, but we hope to have him up and running for the start of the season."
Yacob started his career at Racing, and became a regular fixture at the club, captaining them since 2008. The tenacious midfielder has made two appearances for Argentina, scoring in his last game in a 2-2 friendly against Ecuador.
"I'm really pleased we've been able to recruit a player of Claudio's caliber," sporting and technical director, Dan Ashworth, said.
"He's been a one-club man in Argentina up to now, having broken into Racing's first team at 17 and being appointed as their captain while still in his teens.
"To achieve that at Argentina's third or fourth biggest club, and then break into the national team with the wealth of talent his country have to choose from, is no mean feat.
"Claudio joins us with a great CV and is a terrific passer of the ball.
"He's a holding central midfielder who sits in front of the back four and controls the play. Claudio's also good at breaking things up.
"I believe he will be a great asset for us."
