Modric won’t move unless the fee is met

It looks to be another long summer in Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to keep hold of midfielder Luka Modric. The diminutive schemer has been heavily linked with a move away from White Hart Lane for the best part of 12 months now. Last year, Chelsea were the front-runners in the hunt for the Croatian’s signature; this year it’s La Liga champions Real Madrid.

Spurs have regularly played hardball in order to keep hold of their prized asset, rejecting the overtures of the Blues last summer, turning down bids of £22m, £25m and £40m for Modric. They look set to take a similar stance again this year, despite the 26-year-old’s intentions to depart the North London outfit.

Reports suggest the midfield dynamo won’t be leaving for anything less than £35m to move abroad or £50m to secure a switch to a Premier League outfit. Chairman Daniel Levy is again going to be playing hardball this transfer window, insisting that he won’t sell for anything less than the asking price set and a replacement secured.

As it currently stands, Modric is happy to leave Spurs following their failure to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive season. His hesitancy to train with the first-team will contribute to the club’s likeliness to sell as they won’t want to keep hold of a player that doesn’t want to be part of Spurs.

Nevertheless, he won’t be departing unless the right fee is received. No matter how much he wants to secure his big money move to the Bernabeu, Levy won’t be prepared to accept any offers; unless it is the one he feels represents good value for money. Should the correct bid not be lodged, Modric will likely be turning out for Andre Villas-Boas’ side next season.