Modric to join Milan after Club World Cup, Allegri confirms

Luka Modric is due to complete his move to AC Milan after the Club World Cup and will link up with his new team-mates in August, according to Massimiliano Allegri.

It was confirmed in May that Modric's glittering 13-year spell with Real Madrid would come to an end after FIFA's revamped competition in the United States.

The Croatian joined Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 and will leave as the most decorated player in their history.

Modric has won 28 major honours with Los Blancos, including six Champions League titles, and he could add a 29th if Madrid get past Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, with Chelsea or Fluminense awaiting the victors in the Club World Cup final.

As soon as Modric confirmed he was leaving Madrid, he was tipped for a move to Serie A, with Milan's sporting director Igli Tare confirming the Rossoneri's interest last month.

Speaking at his introductory press conference on Monday, Allegri – who has returned for a second spell in charge of Milan – confirmed that the deal will soon be completed.

"With Modric, let's wait for him to arrive. There is the Club World Cup, then he will arrive in August. He is an important and extraordinary player who needs no introduction. 

"There will be Modric, [Samuele] Ricci, then [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek, who, in my opinion, is a very important player. Then there is [Warren] Bondo, [Youssouf] Fofana... 

"We have excellent players. We will play with three midfielders, then depending on the characteristics, we will get them all on the field."

Modric has come off the bench in all five of Madrid's games at the Club World Cup, playing a total of 94 minutes under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

Milan are set to lose left-back Theo Hernandez to Al-Hilal, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan and forward Rafael Leao are now likely to stay put.

Having entered the final 12 months of his contract in Italy, Maignan was linked with Chelsea before the Club World Cup, but the Blues were reportedly unwilling to meet Milan's £21m (€24m) valuation of the 30-year-old.

Leao, meanwhile, scored 12 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season and had been touted as a potential target for Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

"This morning I saw them, they were very happy. I'm happy that Maignan has chosen to stay, he will be the captain," Allegri said.

"He is an important player and one of the best in Europe in his role. The club was very good at convincing him to stay. 

"Leao is an extraordinary player and he will certainly have a great season. I am convinced because he is entering the age of maturity. 

"I think even as a guy, he's more responsible now. I spoke to him this morning, we have all the conditions for him to do well."