Spurs rebel told to get his head right

Friday, August 10, 2012
11:42 AM

Transfer news: Luka Modric must get used to staying at Tottenham, says boss

Andre Villas-Boas has told wantaway Luka Modric that he must get used to the idea of staying at Tottenham because he will not be allowed to leave unless the club’s valuation is met.

The Croatian playmaker has been embroiled in a transfer saga with Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Manchester United this summer.

While the interest has cooled from Spurs’ Premier League rivals and the newly rich French side, he has continued to be linked with a switch to the Spanish champions, though the north London outfit’s demands for £40 million have yet to be met.

Modric went AWOL from Tottenham’s pre-season tour to the US and has been forced to train alone ever since.

But his new manager has warned the 26-year-old to accept his lot, get his head right and prepare to turn out for Spurs.

“He is training alone because we decided to do that until his mental state is ready to return to the team,” Villas-Boas said.

“It is important that, in the coming days, he understands he must return to the first team.

“We respect the player’s ambition, but he must also respect the club.”

This is the second summer that Modric has been the centre of a transfer tug of war after he was chased by Chelsea last season, but like 12 months ago – when Harry Redknapp was at the helm – Villas-Boas will not be forced into releasing his prized asset.

“Until we receive a suitable offer for the player, he will not go,” the Portuguese said.

“The contacts we have had with other clubs have not met with what Tottenham wants for the player.

“We respect the size of Madrid and the other interested clubs, but they must respect what we are doing too.”