Jose Mourinho has admitted that he queried Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric to see if the Croatian would be willing to swap Spain for Chelsea. 

The Blues manager worked with Modric in his final season in charge at Real Madrid.

"I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want to join Chelsea," Mourinho told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

"You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities. But he stays in Real Madrid."

Modric faces increased competition in Real's midfield after the signings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.