To paraphrase David Dein’s memorable line, Roman Abramovich has parked his Russian tanks on Tottenham’s lawn and begun firing roubles at the boardroom.
The target of the Chelsea owner is Luka Modric, Tottenham’s most influential player, just as he tried to land Thierry Henry, another north London favourite, when the Frenchman was at his Arsenal peak and ripping up Premier League defences for fun.
The immediate reaction to the latest demonstration of Abramovich’s financial muscle is that there is an inevitability to Modric being paraded in a blue shirt before the Premier League switch off their fax machine at the end of the transfer window. The initial £22million bid might have been rejected but many reports have suggested that common ground will eventually be reached between Chelsea and their London rivals.
However, Spurs sources have told Goal.com UK that chairman Daniel Levy has “no intention” of caving in to Abramovich this summer and is “adamant” that Modric will not go at any price.
Observers might point to the cases of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, who moved to Liverpool and Manchester United for a combined £50m three years ago. Spurs agitated, postured and even filed a formal complaint to the Premier League in the case of Liverpool but eventually negotiated and banked handsome cheques for their two star players.
Tottenham’s reputation as a selling club, albeit a well-run one, had been re-established. Yet the case of Modric is different, far removed also to that of Fernando Torres, who effectively gave up the ghost at Anfield, save for a mini-January revival, before moving to Chelsea in the last window.
Spurs have built their team around the diminutive midfield conductor and want him to lead their bid next season to get back in the Champions League. Sources insist that there is no price that will entice the club to sell, even a staggering bid close to the ￡50m mark that eventually persuaded Liverpool to do business.
Having made ￡27.3million in prize money from their debut Champions League campaign, plus matchday receipts from six home games in the competition, Spurs are not in the position where they have to cash in on their prize assets.
Modric signed a six-year contract 12 months ago, which has given Levy and his boardroom colleagues confidence they can fend off interest from the best endowed of suitors, just as Cesc Fabregas’ lengthy deal with Arsenal has put their bitter rivals in a strong bargaining position with Barcelona. Even a transfer request, which is considered unlikely, would be given short shrift.
Manchester United made an enquiry for the Croatian last month but it was dismissed out of hand by Levy, just as Chelsea’s formal approach was late yesterday afternoon.
There is a feeling at White Hart Lane that Modric’s head has been turned by the interest from Chelsea and United, who would both be able to offer a far bigger salary than he commands at Spurs as well as the prospect of Champions League football and a better chance of winning trophies.
The Croatian has also given mixed messages about his future, claiming that his future at the club is not guaranteed and that situations change in football.
A Croatian agent claiming to represent him also poured petrol on the fire by saying Modric “would be willing to discuss” a transfer “if an offer came in that was acceptable to the club and player”. However, Spurs sources have distanced Modric from those comments and insisted that Nikky Vuksan, the agent in question, is not the player’s representative.
Those who know the former Dinamo Zagreb man talk of a humble individual with his feet on the ground and his head a long way from the clouds.
He got married last year, reaffirmed his vows with another ceremony this year, and recently moved to a new home in Hertfordshire close to the club’s training headquarters. His Spurs colleague and countryman Vedran Corluka is one of his best friends and he is also close to Niko Kranjcar, who is however expected to leave the club this summer.
Every player has his price – and Modric’s is a considerable one. Even if Chelsea come back firing more roubles, Spurs intend to stand firm.
The most likely scenario is that the player will renegotiate improved terms, stay for another season and then leave in 12 months’ time with the club’s blessing should Spurs fall short next season.
The target of the Chelsea owner is Luka Modric, Tottenham’s most influential player, just as he tried to land Thierry Henry, another north London favourite, when the Frenchman was at his Arsenal peak and ripping up Premier League defences for fun.
The immediate reaction to the latest demonstration of Abramovich’s financial muscle is that there is an inevitability to Modric being paraded in a blue shirt before the Premier League switch off their fax machine at the end of the transfer window. The initial £22million bid might have been rejected but many reports have suggested that common ground will eventually be reached between Chelsea and their London rivals.
However, Spurs sources have told Goal.com UK that chairman Daniel Levy has “no intention” of caving in to Abramovich this summer and is “adamant” that Modric will not go at any price.
Observers might point to the cases of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, who moved to Liverpool and Manchester United for a combined £50m three years ago. Spurs agitated, postured and even filed a formal complaint to the Premier League in the case of Liverpool but eventually negotiated and banked handsome cheques for their two star players.
Tottenham’s reputation as a selling club, albeit a well-run one, had been re-established. Yet the case of Modric is different, far removed also to that of Fernando Torres, who effectively gave up the ghost at Anfield, save for a mini-January revival, before moving to Chelsea in the last window.
Spurs have built their team around the diminutive midfield conductor and want him to lead their bid next season to get back in the Champions League. Sources insist that there is no price that will entice the club to sell, even a staggering bid close to the ￡50m mark that eventually persuaded Liverpool to do business.
Having made ￡27.3million in prize money from their debut Champions League campaign, plus matchday receipts from six home games in the competition, Spurs are not in the position where they have to cash in on their prize assets.
 "Levy has 'no intention' of caving in to Abramovich this summer and is 'adamant' that Modric will not go at any price" |
Manchester United made an enquiry for the Croatian last month but it was dismissed out of hand by Levy, just as Chelsea’s formal approach was late yesterday afternoon.
There is a feeling at White Hart Lane that Modric’s head has been turned by the interest from Chelsea and United, who would both be able to offer a far bigger salary than he commands at Spurs as well as the prospect of Champions League football and a better chance of winning trophies.
The Croatian has also given mixed messages about his future, claiming that his future at the club is not guaranteed and that situations change in football.
A Croatian agent claiming to represent him also poured petrol on the fire by saying Modric “would be willing to discuss” a transfer “if an offer came in that was acceptable to the club and player”. However, Spurs sources have distanced Modric from those comments and insisted that Nikky Vuksan, the agent in question, is not the player’s representative.
Those who know the former Dinamo Zagreb man talk of a humble individual with his feet on the ground and his head a long way from the clouds.
He got married last year, reaffirmed his vows with another ceremony this year, and recently moved to a new home in Hertfordshire close to the club’s training headquarters. His Spurs colleague and countryman Vedran Corluka is one of his best friends and he is also close to Niko Kranjcar, who is however expected to leave the club this summer.
Every player has his price – and Modric’s is a considerable one. Even if Chelsea come back firing more roubles, Spurs intend to stand firm.
The most likely scenario is that the player will renegotiate improved terms, stay for another season and then leave in 12 months’ time with the club’s blessing should Spurs fall short next season.
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