• Premier League

Angry Modric blasts Levy, still wants Chelsea move

ESPN staff
July 10, 2011
Luka Modric claims Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy threatened to leave him in the stands for the entire season © PA Photos
Enlarge

Luka Modric has delivered an explosive interview on Sunday in which he accuses Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy of going back on a gentleman's agreement, before declaring that he still expects to leave the club this summer.

Modric saw a £22 million bid from Chelsea rejected by Spurs, prompting him to head for crisis talks with Levy. The chairman insisted afterwards that Modric would not be allowed to leave White Hart Lane and that the player understood the club's stance.

However, discontent is still palpable surrounding the midfielder schemer, with Rafael van der Vaart revealing his colleague is "disappointed" by the outcome of last week's meeting, while manager Harry Redknapp confessed Modric still wants to leave.

On Sunday Modric finally broke his own silence, claiming Tottenham's chairman "did not care" what he wanted, whilst stating he still hopes to engineer a move to Chelsea before the end of the summer transfer deadline.

Asked what he would do if Spurs refuse to let him leave, Modric was quoted as telling Sportske Novosti: "I haven't thought about it at all because [not letting me go] would definitely not be good for anyone.

"I have already told the chairman that last summer he said we would find a mutually satisfactory agreement if a club like Chelsea came in. 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."

Elaborating on his meeting with Levy, Modric revealed the Spurs chairman was happy to let the midfielder spend the season rotting in the reserves if he did not honour his long-term contract.

"A lot has been published in the press about the meeting with Levy, who gave the public a twisted account of what happened.

Daniel Levy threatened to leave Luka Modric in stands according to the Croatian © Getty Images
Enlarge

"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 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."

Modric also cemented his desire to play for new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, revealing his mind is already at Stamford Bridge, not Tottenham.

"There is no doubt that Chelsea want me - they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham. I know that the new Chelsea boss 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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices