The Modric Affair

Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy issued a forceful 'hands-off' warning to any rival Premier league clubs after Chelsea publically declared their own interest in unsettled midfielder Luka Modric. Despite the Croatian playmaker's content at White Hart Lane, he admitted that a move to Stamford Bridge would be impossible to refuse causing his manager Harry Redknapp an unforeseen headache.


Tottenham fans have every right to feel that their club should be looking to build on the platform Modric and the like have given them as they bid desperately to compete with an unshakeable looking top four with Manchester's millionaires pipping them to the post to join city rivals United, Arsenal and Chelsea. However, Spurs have had an incredible two seasons under Redknapp, breaking into the Champions League spots and reaching the last eight of Europe's elite competition. Their success is largely down to their shrewd 'wheelings and dealings' in the transfer market, making outstanding profits on the likes of Berbatov, Keane and Carrick in recent years and paying relatively low amounts for the likes of Modric, van der Vaart and Bale.

Sir Alex Ferguson has commented that he feels football has become 'more personal' since his days as a player, and certainly there is a stigma which is attached to clubs such as Spurs and Villa selling their best players which smacks of a lack of ambition. But Spurs have made massive margins before and have an opportunity to do so again. The 25 year old was brought to North London for a club record fee of £16.5m in 2008 and signed a 6 year contract. By playing for position, Spurs stand to at least double or possibly treble this figure as Manchester United and Chelsea are both heavily in the market for a quality midfielder. That's not a lack of ambition, it's good business. Spurs have capable midfielders in reserve such as van der Vaart, Sandro, Huddlestone and Jenas and would undoubtedly use the money to add a much needed spear-head to their blunt forward line.

Liverpool's sale of Fernando Torres benefitted Kenny Dalglish's situation hugely. They raised the funds to buy striker Andy Carroll and the show-stopping Luis Suarez and watched on as Torres went on to make no impact at Stamford Bridge. Two or three up and coming players who are desperate to put on the lillywhite Spurs shirt is better than a midfielder whose had his head turned. It's time for Spurs fans to put their faith in Redknapp's ability in the transfer market. Of course they don't want to lose Modric, but this is about looking forward with a clear mind and not cutting off their own noses to spite their face.