JUTARNJI/ “ABRAMOVIČ WILL GO TO THE END FOR MODRIĆ”
The gloves are off at White Hart Lane as Luka Modrić and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy have made it publicly clear that the two do not agree on the future of Spurs’ Croatian international midfielder, The Sun reported earlier last week. The business side of soccer has been exposed and things are getting uglier by the minute.
“I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner. I reminded the chairman of our gentleman’s agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham. At that time, I had an open chat with Levy – that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned.
The chairman said, ‘Okay, we’ll sit and talk [about any offers]’. Now Levy doesn’t want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs.
He threatened me – he said if I didn’t accept the club’s stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands.”
-Luka Modrić via Soccernet
TOTTENHAM HAS PARKED THE BUS IN FRONT OF MODRIĆ’S FUTURE
Levy may have promised Modrić certain things behind closed doors, however, Modrić making these promises public hurts Levy more than himself. Whether Levy was planning on selling Modrić or not this summer, increasing the Magician’s value was always his MO. Remember folks, it’s only mid-July and the summer transfer window is open for another seven weeks. Most deals, especially when both sides are playing hardball, are completed during the final week.
Chelsea’s initial bid of £22 million deterred Levy’s initial plan of increasing Modrić’s stock throughout the summer until it hit maximum selling point in August. Now that Modrić knows a Champions League club with the caliber of Chelsea is legitimately interested, he will use any leverage to get out, especially what Levy promised him privately. With both sides uneasy about the situation, Modrić will have to be sold this summer (to the highest bidder) as there is ZERO chance Tottenham will bench their Croatian star to prove a point. Supporters would go mad!
Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid haven’t even put in formal bids for Modrić yet. The mayhem between Tottenham management and the Modrić camp hasn’t even started. Magic number for Luka Modrić this summer: £42 million. Let’s see what unfolds.
Niko Kranjćar (above) is furious with the Tottenham Hotspur back office as they have put a £12 million price tag over a possible summer transfer out of White Hart Lane for Kranjčar, Soccernet reports. Kranjčar’s only objective this summer is to get to a club where he can play first-team football and challenge for silverware.
Because of the current over-priced label on Kranjčar’s name, it will be hard for him to draw attention from other clubs. Italian club Fiorentina and Ukrainian runners-up Dynamo Kyiv have been linked with Kranjčar, however, talks have died down since Tottenham set the ridiculous price tag. TalkSport has reported that Kranjčar’s agent hasn’t even begun talks with Fiorentina and all news is just speculation. Metro has stated that Tottenham need the funds from a Kranjčar deal in order to bring in Pablo Osvaldo for £20 million. Tottenham has angered all of their Croatian contingent at one point or another in the past 12 months. Get out while you can boys! One Champions League run is as good as it’ll get.
SkySports.com has reported that Stipe Pletikosa (above) has been in pre-season training with Scottish giants Celtic FC. However, it looks as if Pletikosa is working to be the third keeper at Celtic, behind Lukasz Zaluska and Dominic Cervi. If that’s the case, Pletikosa would be in the same position he was with Tottenham.
Is Celtic the right move or should Stipe keep shopping?
Tottenham has rejected Modric transfer request fireworks are still going off?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/934442/spurs-boss-harry-redknapp-rejects-luka-modric-transfer-request?cc=5901
Modric going on South American tour with Spurs but has already put in formal transfer request. Let the fireworks begin!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/934397/harry-redknapp-hopes-tour-distracts-luka-modric?cc=5901
I'm watching Liverpool signing players left and right, while Tottenham are sitting on their ass as usual. No way the Spurs challenge for champions league with this squad.
Modric flew out with Tottenham this morning to South Africa for a 10 day tour. I hope this doesnt get messy. The last thing we need is Modric and Kranjcar to ride the bench at Tottenham this season.
Hopefully, pleti signs for a team that just about guarantees him a starting job. Siting at Celtic or Tottenham is the same shit.
Modric just put in his transfer request-putting more pressure on Levy to sell him to Chelsea. If he gets his wish, this would be a huge win for Modric and hopefully Kranjcar.
Kranjcar said in skysports that if modric were to leave spurs, he will stay in club…this is rather worrying…because i dont think kranjcar will get his chances even if modric is injured or left spurs
IF PLETIKOSA GOES TO CELTIC HE WILL START MARK MY WORDS CMON STIPE!
If Modric were to leave, i think a spainish club, or a seria A team would complement his style better. I know the most likely outcome would be chelsea, but i hope to god it doesnt happen. For Kranjcar a seria A or a bundesliga side would be good for him, as long as he gets 1st team playing time, anything better then the bench warming position he has now at tottenham. Next Corluka, he should go just somewhere where they need a RB more than spurs, so he can be a starter, maybe a smaller or recently promoted EPL side. As for pletikosa, its a lost cause, any place he goes, i cant see him geting a starting position, for he will forever be a 2nd or 3rd tier keeper.
I really DON'T want to become a Chelsea fan, but I wouldn't mind seeing Luka with some solid forwards.
@Anon
The less goals for Modric, the more goals for his forwards. The guy never loses the ball and has an uncanny IQ for the game. (much unlike yours)
@ziva
Pleti Euro tour 2011-2012, it's going to be epic. It must suck sitting on the bench and making money. I'd hate to be getting paid to be called #3. He should come back to Croatia, so he can start learning how to protect the goal again. The swiss cheese defense of the Croatian league will help him hone his skills.
My prediction when the Modric saga began was 32 million. Still feel pretty good about that.
I'd much rather see him join Chelsea for 25 with Anelka going to Spurs.
Chelsea bid up to 27 million…
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/933823/harry-hopes-to-keep-modric-as-chelsea-circle?cc=5901
yo
Ha, I think it's a little more complex that that, Anon.
Anyway… If (and when) Modric leaves, does Tottenham have anyone lined up to replace him? Who do you think would be his best replacement?
lolololol yeah it does. isn't this how this game works? score the most goals and you the best? 🙂
Chelsea will eventually up their offer to over 30 million and Modric will be sold.
Pletikosa should consider going to a team that will pay him the most to sit. Nothing wrong at all in collecting a paycheck to be a tourist.
ok I've done some more research on the Celtic goalie situation and it appears that their #1 last year was on Loan from Newcastle and returned there…. from what I gather they aren't looking at Stipe for 3rd string but as competition for the #1 spot… if this is the case, than that is a GREAT move for Stipe! Also that will instantly get his job back for the NT which will give us a chance in qualies and the tourney as Runje is just plain terrible
BZ I've seen it mentioned here on CSR, I haven't seen it on goal.com, soccernet, etc (unfotunately)
@ziva istina
"Pletikosa should move to Celtic, that way he can continue his tour of sitting in large euro cities: Moscow, London, Glasgow.."
Pletikosa has no other options currently and much better chances in the SPL then Moscow or London, period.
"We need to get him playing as Runje sucks"
X2
@AZ
"then how about corluka? He should leave with his best friend modric.."
Corluka should leave also, I like Tottenham but it's time for all Croats to abandon ship.
@Nepoznat
"Pletikosa should go to Hajduk over 3rd string opportunities in SPL"
Has there been any recent interest/offers from Hajduk?
Anon,
Honestly do you even watch the game at all? When you make comments like that you just sound like a retard and its impossible to even respect you opinion. It reminds me of something I would say when I was 15…
So is Xabi Alanso(1 in 20 scorer for Real Madrid), Iniesta(1 in 10 scorer for Barcelona), Xavi (1 in 10 scorer for Barcelona and considered Spains best ever!)and all the other players who dont score crap?
If you don't know anything about the game its better not to comment than make stupid comments. Comparing Badjel and Modric…jesus the iq of some is just beyond me.
I love Luka, but if he's so dead set on playing in the Champion's League, go back to Dinamo. He's an amazing player, but when you score only 2 goals in the PL, quit acting like you are gods gift to football. When he does leave Tottenham though, they should just replace him with Badelj. I don't think anyone will notice the difference.
Modric is going to the cross-town rivals? wouldnt it better to go to Man U or City? From my own fandom perspective, I'd rather Modric go to Liverpool cuz I can't root for the other aforementioned teams.
Modricu, come back to Dinamo for the Euro campaign.
Pleti, go to Celtic ASAP.
Niko, bmk wherever you go just keep scoring goals for Croatia.
Carli, come back to Dinamo with Luka.
Tottenham big man syndrome at the moment. They act as if they are bigger than a selling(feeder) club. Realistically that team has been a stepping stone for players who are coming to the PL. The successful players move on to better things…sorry if the fans are butt hurt but people want to compete for trophies not 4th place finishes.
Tottenham have tried to get by on the very minimum. They have made some of the worst signings which does not benefit them. Keane(15m), Defoe(15m), Bentley(15m), Crouch(10m), Palacios(13m)….common trend is most of them are english and price is way above there quality but also they dont want to sell without profit and they will rather sit them…
Either way Modric made an awful mistake! Never take a man for his word! He probably did tell you that you are free to go if something better comes along but the second you didnt put it in your contract…he was going to pull what he is doing now!
The funniest thing is the fans are acting as if they brought Modric Champions League and he owes them something. Wake up!(as Bilic would say). He brought you CL and he brought if for you for the very first time and now since you do dirty business Modric is out 100% but not only that the teammates and everyone who knew Modric will know the true story and second guess and future extensions with this team.
Dont worry though by next season tottenham will be nowhere near 4th and VdV, Bale, Lennon, Sandro and co who are good enough to play elsewhere will demand transfers.
Allen, I just wanted to let you know I told you so. 😉 no offense but Tottenham was always going to be 10th before they were going to be 4th. They operate there team all wrong and now outside teams are laughing at them and its all there fault.
Every Hrvat get the hell out of Tottenham! That club is a sinking ship!!!
The most important thing for pletikosa now is to play week in week out to get himself fit for national team and to displace runje.
Why is no one worried for corluka now? I am rather concerned over the defenders, whethet they are able to play week in week out for their respectively clubs. The number of quality defenders in national team is already lacking…so we must make sure they are in right club next season…
I dont wish to see simunic rotting in hoffeihim…i dont wish to see lovren move to reserves in liverpool…i dont wish to see corluka being displayed by walker at spurs…i dont wish to see pranjic rot in the stands at bayern (now that lanhm and rafinha are around)
The most important thing for pletikosa now is to play week in week out to get himself fit for national team and to displace runje.
Why is no one worried for corluka now? I am rather concerned over the defenders, whethet they are able to play week in week out for their respectively clubs. The number of quality defenders in national team is already lacking…so we must make sure they are in right club next season…
I dont wish to see simunic rotting in hoffeihim…i dont wish to see lovren move to reserves in liverpool…i dont wish to see corluka being displayed by walker at spurs…i dont wish to see pranjic rot in the stands at bayern (now that lanhm and rafinha are around)
jeeez guys! Pletikosa is ALREADY out of Spurs, he was only there on loan. He is back with Spartak Moscow, currently on trial with Celtic
Schildefenld moved to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2. Bundesliga
Knezevic signed with newly promoted Serie A side Novara
Predictions: Modric will eventually go to Chelsea and get the Torres treatment. Kranjcar to Serie A. Badelj stays with Dinamo until they are eliminated from Europe. Lovren stays with Lyon.
Pletikosa should go to Hajduk over 3rd string opportunities in SPL
We need to get him playing as Runje sucks and will be playing in EPL2 for recently relegated team (after contributing to his former team Lens' relegation in French league)
Luka's GOT TO GO… Loserham Cold Spurs are not the place for him, he is too good. Did anyone else ever thing that the high price for Niko is cover since Spurs know Luka is leaving and this way they can have Niko replace him in the lineup?
then how about corluka? He should leave with his best friend modric..
Pletikosa should move to Celtic, that way he can continue his tour of sitting in large euro cities: Moscow, London, Glasgow….
Good article, what I would like to see this summer.
Modric: Moved on to Chelsea or Manchester United.
Pletikosa: Simply out of Tottenham, Celtics is a good move for him as he will get some playing time if not majority.
Kranjcar: Making the move Florentia.
Lovren: Staying at Lyon for at least one more season.
Milan Badelj: Stay in Croatia for another season, it would be a great if this player could make it into a full time placement in Tottenham, I have my doubts, stay in Croatia, hopefully move to a German or Spanish club team.
Gordon Schildenfeld: Move to Celtics.