• Premier League

Croatia boss slams Levy over Modric treatment

ESPN staff
August 15, 2012
Luka Modric is desperate to join Real Madrid © PA Photos
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Igor Stimac has criticised Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, accusing him of breaking promises to midfielder Luka Modric over a possible move to Real Madrid.

Playmaker Modric has been training alone after missing Tottenham's pre-season tour of America as speculation over his future rumbles on. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has warned him that he must be ready to play for the club again despite his absence from their friendlies.

Croatia coach Stimac said he was unhappy with the situation Modric was in, adding that he expected him to finalise a move to Madrid before the transfer window closed.

Modric is desperate to go to Real, but the Spanish champions have not met Tottenham's asking price of around £40 million - and both Levy and Villas-Boas say he will be going nowhere until the right offer is received.

Speaking before Croata take on Switzerland in Split on Wednesday night, Stimc launched a scathing attack on Levy, telling AS: "Daniel Levy promised a year ago that, if an offer from Madrid arrived, he would let him go. And when the offer arrived he changed his opinion.

"I think that this guy tries to make himself famous in the world of football, but this isn't the way to do it. When you promise something you always need to fulfil it. It was the same with Berbatov before he signed for Manchester United. He went there on August 31.''

Stimac said Modric "has already made his decision and he's very clear about what he's going to do", adding: "It's the only thing he wants, to go to Madrid. He is very keen to play at Real Madrid and, as well as that, he has the promise of Levy. I only hope that this promise ends up being fulfilled."

Neither Levy nor Tottenham have so far responded to Stimac's remarks.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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