Real Madrid have included Luka Modric in their squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash in the midst of speculation the Croatia midfielder could be Inter-bound.
Modric has been a cornerstone of the Madrid team that has lifted four Champions League titles in the last five seasons, establishing himself as one of the world's elite midfielder's in the process.
That form was also on show at the World Cup, where he helped Croatia into their first-ever final before France ended their title dreams in a 4-2 victory.
After six seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, Modric's continuity has been thrown into doubt for the first time since moving from Tottenham.
Big-spending Inter are keen to add the Ballon d'Or candidate to their squad, seeing Modric as an arrival to match the impact Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to have at Juventus.
But publicly at least Madrid are treating Modric as their player still, and he may see minutes in Wednesday's clash against Europa League holders and city rivals Atletico.
The playmaker was included in a 29-man call-up for the Super Cup, which will be played at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.
New signings Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Odriozola also make the cut in a strong squad to take on Diego Simeone's men.
What the future will hold for Modric following the match, however, is still up in the air, with his agent hinting at a move to Inter at some point in his career earlier on Monday.
"The fact Inter Milan tried to sign him and Modric took it into consideration shows the influence Cristiano Ronaldo is already having on Italian football," Marko Natelilic told Tuttosport.
"For whatever reason, Modric wants to be a star in Serie A with Inter. Let's see. I believe that sooner or later Luka will play in Italy. Like a lot of Croatians his age, he grew up watching Italian football."
Modric has made 257 appearances to date for the Merengue, scoring on 13 occasions and lifting 14 major trophies.
