• Premier League

AVB preparing for Spurs life without Modric

ESPN staff
August 6, 2012
Luka Modric has been training alone at Tottenham since Euro 2012 with Croatia © PA Photos
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Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is planning for life without Luka Modric, but has told the wantaway midfielder that he will not be sold on the cheap.

Modric is a target for Real Madrid and after going awol for the first few days of pre-season, the Croatian has been training alone while the clubs haggle over a fee.

It is believed Spurs and Real are still some way apart in their valuation and it has left Modric in limbo and Villas-Boas unsure as to whether he will have a player to call on or money to spend.

It seems as if Villas-Boas expects a deal to happen and even if it does not, he has suggested Modric will not be available for some time due to a lack of fitness.

"We have to move on preparing the squad thinking that the offer might arrive," Villas-Boas said following Spurs' 1-0 win over Watford in a pre-season friendly. "We respect the mental state of the player and don't want to affect the running of the squad. That is the most important thing.

"He is training alone. It is a different type training, not as intense as the group training. When we feel it is the right time for him to be more involved, we will trigger his preparation.

"The individual is a good professional and is going through a difficult situation but the club can do nothing about it.

"He has to understand the club can't do anything about other clubs' offers. The offer does not meet the chairman's demands and we can't do anything."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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