Modric seeks Spurs exit
Wantaway Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric hopes he can agree an “appropriate” exit from the club after claiming he was threatened to be placed in exile by chairman Daniel Levy.
Modric was the subject of a £22m bid from Chelsea earlier this summer, and returned from holiday last week to have talks with his club.
Levy emerged from those discussions claiming that the Croatia playmaker understood he would not be sold, but Modric is unhappy at the way he feels he has been treated.
The 25-year-old told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti that he had an agreement with Levy that he could leave if a ‘bigger‘ club came in for him, and that when he reminded his chairman of that pact, he was told he would be banished from the first team if he pushed for a sale.
“I reminded the chairman of our gentleman’s agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham,” Modric was quoted as saying.
“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.
“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.
“A lot has been published in the press about the meeting with Levy, who gave the public a twisted account of what happened. I must say that I am genuinely disappointed about what Levy said to me. He didn’t care about what I was telling him. It all only convinced me further that I was right to consider moving on to another club.
“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.”
Modric maintains that joining Chelsea would be a “dream” for him.
“There is no doubt that Chelsea want me – they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham,” he added.
“I know that the new Chelsea boss (Andre Villas-Boas) said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me – it’s a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available.
“It wasn’t a snap decision – I talked a long time with my family and people whose opinions I respect. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option.”
