Luka Modric: Tottenham manager Villas-Boas says price must be met

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Luka Modric

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has warned clubs chasing Luka Modric the midfielder will only be sold if their asking price of around £35m is met.

"There has been continuous interest from three different clubs," said Villas-Boas. "But it is important for Tottenham to hold onto their rights.

"His situation will continue as it is until the price is right."

The three clubs are believed to be favourites Real Madrid,external-link Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

Villas-Boas added: "It's important to understand his feelings. We have been speaking and I understand his point and he understands the club's point."

Modric, who joined from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008, first expressed his desire to leave White Hart Lane 12 months ago but Tottenham rejected his transfer request at the time and also a bid from Chelsea.

The 26-year-old Croat is under contract until 2016 but Villas-Boas admitted earlier in July, Modric was likely to be on his way.

"It's fair to say that the club respects Luka's ambitions and his willingness to move on and he respects the fact that he's an important player for the club and can help us move forward," said Villas-Boas as the time.

"Ongoing discussions will continue with these clubs until we reach an agreement which is acceptable for each party."

Modric has been capped 57 times by Croatia.

"Luka is an intelligent person and understands the club has to defend his value their values, rights and interests," added Villas-Boas.

"It's a difficult situation for the club but we have been co-operative by openly saying we are willing to listen to offers.

"But the offer has not been met to what the chairman Daniel Levy wants. If that is met there won't be any problems."

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147 comments

  • Comment posted by Ointment, at 11:12 19 Jul 2012

    @23

    Spurs might be the 11th richest club but they don't spend the 11th most money. Why? Because they only spend money that they actually have!

    Lots of clubs are willing to get into irresponsible levels of debt in pursuit of success. Spurs aren't, and it's very much to their credit.

  • Comment posted by Alex D, at 10:45 19 Jul 2012

    @1. Modric's stats tell only half the story. Anyone who watches a Spurs game can see that Modric runs the show with his vision and passing, regardless of goals/assists, in the same way as Xavi or Iniesta.

    Spurs are right to hold out for a good price considering Modric is definitely worth at least £30m. Would rather see him go abroad than to Man United but I'm a Liverpool fan...

  • Comment posted by Booftothemax, at 15:13 19 Jul 2012

    What Modric does is knit play together. He hardly ever gives the ball away and is always moving, available for a pass. He also has an eye for a killer ball which at Spurs, means releasing Bale and Lennon. He will never be high on the assists list for that reason. It still makes him a top player and would fit in to any passing, possession based team. £35m is a lot of money but he is a fine player.

  • Comment posted by U15312583, at 13:25 19 Jul 2012

    I've had a long standing argument with a mate of mine about Modric. He's been saying for ages that he can't see what the fuss is about with Modric, I've been telling him that's because so much of his value comes from doing the unspectacular elements of playmaking superbly. He moves the ball progressively & quickly even under pressure. Only neg point is he doesnt have a crack at goal enough.

  • Comment posted by modricmania, at 11:30 19 Jul 2012

    A very good player and one who plays the vital role in the middle of the park, setting the tempo for a game. Went missing for large parts of the season last year, probably because his heart wasn't in it. Bad for Spurs, but not irreplacable. Right to hold out for proper price and Levy is known as a ruthless negociator!

  • Comment posted by U9465771, at 17:19 19 Jul 2012

    Sorry, but Modric is not worth 35million. He's a good player...nothing more. How much did Cesc Fabregas cost? No comparision. Really.

    Ledley King, on the other hand was world class. A real shame for Spurs and England he suffered so much with injuries. In my opinion he could've been an all time great had he stayed injury free.

    This is from a gooner btw.

  • Comment posted by U15106390, at 11:44 19 Jul 2012

    @rxx2jp

    If you think Carrick has been a failure at United then you have absolutely zero football knowledge and have never watched a live game in your life.

    If you think Berbatov, PL top scorer just 1 season ago, has been a failure at United, then again, you have zero football knowledge.

  • Comment posted by RedalwaysRed, at 11:32 19 Jul 2012

    @36 (rxx2jp)

    I'm a Liverpool fan but I laughed at your comment of man utd finishing below you next season! Spurs have plenty of questions to answer next season and plenty of boxes to tick!
    But as the media and fans are predicting man utd decline next season wouldn't it just be Fergie-Like to go and win the title again!!!
    As for Modric it's right for spurs to sell him & right for him to leave!

  • Comment posted by U14972306, at 11:20 19 Jul 2012

    So Levy sacked Harry Redknapp because he underachieved, well Mr. Levy, Failing to keep hold of the best players in the world is badly under achieving.

    Tottenham have to decide whether they want to be a big club or not.

    Either put up or shut up.

  • Comment posted by jobsworth, at 11:19 19 Jul 2012

    Creative midfield players are hard to come buy ask Man U they have been after the right one for a few years now that is why Tottenham are holding out for the big bucks for Modric. They are in a good position to get the price they want and already have players at the club that can potentially play his role VDV and Pienarr could perform the task well and 35m to improve the squad could help challange

  • Comment posted by U15145731, at 19:13 19 Jul 2012

    114
    Exactly! All this talk about Spurs winning the title is absolute nonsense! Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle will battle for 3rd and 4th spot, while there will be a Merseyside battle for 6th. Can see Liverpool improving from last year though. All they lacked last season was a striker capable of bagging the endless chances they created.

  • Comment posted by U15349334, at 17:52 19 Jul 2012

    @On the eighth day Eboue took over:

    A player's worth is only partly calculated by how good they are. Predominantly, it's down to how long they have on their contact - hence the discrepancy between value of Fabregas and Modric.

    I suspect Levy told Modric he could go if Spurs didn't get Champions League football last season. Letting that 10pt lead slip has been costly in many ways.

  • Comment posted by U15349261, at 17:11 19 Jul 2012

    I can see why AVB didn't hesitate signing for Spurs. Tottenham and Porto have a lot in common, especially greediness and lack of communication. Seriously, why is Levy still banging on about how he's not going to let Modric leave for free? The croatian has clearly no interest in pursuing a career in London. Levy must lower his evaluation or else there is going to be a "Modric" saga every year.

  • Comment posted by U14932534, at 15:46 19 Jul 2012

    Can't believe people on here are slating Modric, just look at his Euros performances he was the best player on the park in all 3 games and unlucky not to go through, ending up getting put out by the winners and runners-up. Then some of his performances for an Europa League team have been excellent, if he was to go to Utd I'd tip him for player of the year!

  • Comment posted by Maxtor, at 15:35 19 Jul 2012

    Just cash in on modric and hope you get a europa spot. Big mistake selling Rednapp and it will be shown end of this season

  • Comment posted by U15349186, at 15:28 19 Jul 2012

    I agree with fine comment by Ian Scopes. Al I can add is a warning for Mr Levy that it takes two to tango. If he makes Modric measerable, Modric can turn around to play so badly that Mr Levy will not be able to sell him for one million ponds. Better take the Money offered Mr Levy and do not be too greedy because you might lose it all. Luka is a man not a carpet for sale.

  • Comment posted by U13672936, at 15:19 19 Jul 2012

    In the current transfer climate, is the asking price inflated? To replace Modric will cost us dearly, Hopefully, we're done with signing the likes of Saha and Nelson, and will be signing players that other clubs want. To do that, we need cash. If no-one is willing to match the price that Spurs are asking, then Modric will pull on his Spurs shirt and play his best, being the pro that he is!

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 15:14 19 Jul 2012

    87.ChubbyPandas
    18 Minutes ago

    Enlgish players are useless
    __________________________

    No. English players are overvalued. There is a big difference.

  • Comment posted by U14846419, at 14:41 19 Jul 2012

    @81 I didn't know that about VDV, but he is also a class act - many of his goals/assists stick in the mind. VDV is definitely not a CM though! Hopefully he won't have much defensive duty/running to do under AVB and can really shine. Shame we can't keep Modric too, but hey.

    Scholes - class act, Xavi's idol and a cut above the other players we've been talking about.

    Carrick - 75% sideways man, no?

  • Comment posted by U14729725, at 13:42 19 Jul 2012

    Opta stats: Luka Modric set up 95 shots in the PL 11/12 (only two players more) but just four of these resulted in goals. #Frustrated

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