Harry Redknapp- Spurs will never sell Luka Modric to Chelsea

Last updated : 19 June 2011 By Daily Mail

Redknapp, who had dismissed Chelsea's opening bid of ?22 million for the Croatia playmaker as 'ridiculous', said: 'We're lucky we've got him and we aren't selling him. That's what the chairman says and that's good enough for me.

'The chairman has made a statement today, he can't backtrack on that. He means that, I know he means that. Luka's not going. It's not easy to keep a player who's not happy but the chairman has said we're not going to sell him so we've got to stand by that now. He can't be saying that and then we sell him.'

MODRIC: LET ME LEAVE! READ MATT LAWTON'S EXCLUSIVE

Not for sale: Modric (right) is not heading to Chelsea, according to Tottenham's chairman

Earlier, Levy had shown his anger at Chelsea's behaviour in revealing their offer for Modric when he said: 'For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever with any club regarding Luka.

'We are not prepared to sell at any price, not to Chelsea or any other club.We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.

'We are building a team for the future to consistently play at the highest level and retaining quality players is crucial to that. We now consider this matter closed.'

But four years ago the Spurs chairmanlaunched a similar outburst over striker Dimitar Berbatov, then sold the unsettled Bulgarian to Manchester United for ?30.75m eight months later.

Steely determination: Harry Redknapp (left) and Daniel Levy have made their feelings about Modric known

Cynics might suggest that Levy and Spurs, strongly linked to West Ham's Scott Parker, are simply trying to get more money from Chelsea for Modric, whose contract runs until 2016.

But if Tottenham do hold on to the midfielder, they could have an unhappy and potentially disruptive squad member whose value becomes significantly reduced.

Redknapp, though, plainly wants to retain such an influential player. He knows Spurs must hang on to their best players and add more quality if they are to qualify for the Champions League again.

'If we sell Luka where are we going as a football club?' he said. 'We'll have to accept then that we're a middle-of-the-table team that will finish in the top half next season. That's not what the chairman wants, it's not what I want. It's not, mostimportantly, what the fans want.

Playing at the highest level: Modric dazzled during Spurs's champions League campaign

'You've got to keep your best players, I don't see Liverpool wanting to sell Steven Gerrard or Chelseawanting to sell Frank Lampard, John Terry or any of their top players. Arsenal don't want to sell [Samir] Nasri.

'Luka's such a great player for us wejust don't want to lose him. He's a great guy, top-class boy, and obviously his head's been turned a little bit by the fact that he's wanted by clubs and he could probably go and get a fantastic contract.'

Modric appears to agree but insists that he does not want to fall out with Spurs.

'Chelsea are a big club with an ambitious owner,' he said. 'I don't want to have an argument with Tottenham. It is normal to dream of playing for a bigger club. If somebody comes to the club with an offer and the offer is good for me and acceptable to them, then I want to leave.

Attracting interest: Modric is wanted by both Manchester clubs

'But I want to leave Tottenham as friends. I have enjoyed my time there, but now it is right for me to look at another club.

'I have an arrangement with the chairman. When I signed my new contract [a year ago], he said that, if another club came to sign me, they would consider the offer.'

Levy has accused Chelsea, who are currently managerless following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, of making their offer public, something which often unsettles players.

Chelsea described that as 'nonsense' but were left in no doubt that any Modric deal will not be straightforward.

The clubs were involved in a bitter row after Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's recruitmentof Frank Arnesen as sporting director in 2006, when Tottenham initially accused them of poaching their man, before accepting ?5m in compensation.

?EXCLUSIVE: Let me leave! Modric bombshell as he admits he wants to join ChelseaLuka is not for sale! Redknapp tells Chelsea to forget Modric after Spurs reject ?22m bidEXCLUSIVE: Modric fight! City plan ?30m raid to see off Chelsea in race for Spurs aceHands off, Tottenham! Hammers hopeful of retaining midfield maestro ParkerAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and opinion

?Explore more:People: Frank Arnesen, Daniel Levy, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov, Roman Abramovich, Carlo Ancelotti, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard Places: Liverpool, Croatia

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail