Luka Modric’s potential transfer to the Barclays Premier League moved a step closer to reality last night after the Dinamo Zagreb president arrived in London for talks with several clubs. Zdravko Mamic plans to hold talks with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in a bid to sell the Croatia midfield player when the transfer window opens on Tuesday.

Mamic, who oversaw the move of Eduardo da Silva, the Croatia forward, to Arsenal in the summer, claims to want up to €25million (about £18.2 million) for the player. Modric, 22, was instrumental in helping his country to beat England 3-2 in the European Championship qualifying match at Wembley in November.

His vision, control and passing ability at the heart of the Croatia midfield earned praise from many observers. But he can also play on the left side of midfield and as a playmaker behind the forwards.

His possible departure may have been hastened by Dinamo’s exit from the Uefa Cup after defeat by SV Hamburg at the start of this month, when an Arsenal scout was in attendance. Dinamo, who are top of the Croatian league, have prepared for the sale by considering a move for Maor Buzaglo, a midfield player on loan from Maccabi Haifa to Bnei Sakhnin.

Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, watched the midfield player appear for his country in their defeat by Macedonia last month.

Chelsea have held talks with Zagreb in recent weeks, while Tottenham have told the club that they are “very serious” about bidding, as Juande Ramos, the first-team coach, attempts to reshape his team with his first opportunity to bring in players since he took charge two months ago.

Ramos is also monitoring Aleksandr Kerzhakov, the Russia forward, whom he signed for Seville a year ago. There are doubts at present about the future of three of Tottenham’s forwards, Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent.