"I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want (to join) Chelsea

Jose Mourinho told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti of his admiration for Luka Modric.

Mourinho signed Modric from Spurs for £33 million in 2012 and was hoping to lure him from Real Madrid to Chelsea this summer but the Real Madrid midfielder turned down the offer.

Mourinho said: 

"I called Modric only privately but he doesn't want (to join) Chelsea. You know I really appreciate Luka Modric and his qualities. But he stays in Real Madrid"

Modric while in Tottenham submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force a move to join the Blues in 2011 before his Madrid switch.