Once again Modric wants away from White Hart Lane

For a second summer in succession the transfer headlines have been dominated by want away Croatian Luka Modric. Having compromised on a move away from White Hart Lane to Chelsea last term the Tottenham Hotspur playmaker has gone so far as to stage a rebellion against the North London hierarchy.It is clear that Modric’s want for a move to Chelsea no less than 12 months ago was not motivated by the opportunity to play under a then well admired and sort after Andre Villa-Boas, who now finds himself in charge of a Spurs team who miss out on the prospect of Champions League football thanks to a revitalised Chelsea under the steward of Roberto Di Matteo. Ironic to say the least.

A move to Stamford Bridge no longer remains the 26 year olds desire with the former Zagreb midfielder sights firmly set upon football at Real Madrid. Modric’s longing for a move to the Bernabeu was made indisputably when last Saturday he failed to board the squad’s flight to Los Angeles for the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

As a result of what can only be described as nothing less than a protest from the Croatian against Spurs’ it appears that manager Villas-Boas and more important chairman Daniel Levy are ready to accept defeat and cash in on one of the clubs most prized assets.

Since missing the squad’s flight to the States Modric has apologised to the club after being told not to bother flying out to join his team-mates but will continue to train away from the first-team squad as the club wait for what they deem to be an acceptable offer.

With Modric entering the fifth year of six as a part of a contract signed in 2008 as new Tottenham manager at the time Juande Ramos’ first signing it would appear that the time is right to sell at the £40 million asking price that the Croatian garners.

If Modric were to stay for another season at White Hart Lane, as admittedly unrealistic as it might be, Spurs could be left in a situation where Modric goes into the final year of the contract in 2013 with the ability to contact clubs about a move for free. And whatever uncertainty may remain over the future of Modric at the club the prospect of the Croatia international leaving for nothing is not something that Daniel Levy is likely to want to consider another 12 months down the line.

This possibility, although faint and unlikely, added to an improved goal and assist return in comparison to the 2010-11 season which resulted in the £40 million pound valuation that appeared above the midfielders head during the last summer window it will be Spurs’ hope that they make even more on their club record transfer fee of £16.5 million when a deal is finally done.

Although it is Modric’s hope that a move to Real comes to fruition Tottenham Hotspur’s themselves are confident that interest from Paris Saint-Germain will spark a bidding war between the two clubs that will ultimately see both parties involved in this rather boring and tiresome transfer saga satisfied.