Daniel Levy goes on the offensive in Luka Modric war - 7M sport

Daniel Levy goes on the offensive in Luka Modric war



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Posted Thursday, August 25, 2011 by The Sun

Daniel Levy goes on the offensive in Luka Modric war

DANIEL LEVY has gone on the offensive in his fight to keep want-away midfielder Luka Modric at Tottenham.

The Spurs chairman has called Chelsea and told them to lay off his Croatian midfielder who he insists is going nowhere.

And now he is planning showdown talks with the unsettled star later today in a bid to bring the long-running saga to an end.

A top Tottenham source said: "Luka refused to play in the match at Manchester United on Monday night and he won't play against Hearts on Thursday either.

"Knowing he could move to Chelsea and play in the Champions League and earn so much more money has clearly unsettled him.

"So the chairman has decided it is time to try and take control of the situation.

"First he's phoned Chelsea to tell them to back off and move on and now he wants to talk to Luka himself. He's hoping that will finally bring the matter to a close.

"He's said all along that Luka would not be sold at any price and he's never wavered from that position."

Modric, 26, is dismayed at the chairman's stance but still hopes to cross the capital before the transfer window closes next week.

Levy, though, has already turned down two bids from Chelsea, the last a £30m deal including Blues midfielder Yossi Benayoun, so he looks sure to stick stubbornly to his guns.

Yet manager Harry Redknapp has warned that playing hardball over Modric could backfire. He said: "I will see Luka this morning. It is difficult for him.

"My No 2 Joe Jordan pointed out that he is going to be sitting there every week thinking he could be winning with Chelsea in the Champions League or competing with them for the title and earning £100,000 a week more. It is not easy.

"You can say he is lucky to be in that position but it is difficult.

"My opinion is that maybe we would get three or four players in and make us a better team. I don't want to lose him but if he's not going to be happy and get on with it, we might be better off."

Redknapp insists he will play Modric in tonight's Europa League preliminary round second leg ? even though Spurs lead Hearts 5-0.

He said: "I don't know if Luka is going to be fit but if he is OK I will certainly be looking to give him an hour."



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