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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that his team will be in dire straits if star midfielder and team talisman Luka Modric moves from the club this summer. Modric has been the subject of widespread interest this transfer window, with Spurs already having rejected two bids for the player, the most recent one being 27 million pounds.
Modric recently captained the side and was perhaps the only positive spark in a poor Spurs performance during pre-season, as they held a marauding Orlando Pirates side 1-1. Speaking to Goal.com, Redknapp said that Tottenham would definitely be in trouble if they lost Modric’s services. He said-
“If he [Modric] leaves we are in trouble. He’s such a good player, we have to keep Modric.”
“We need Luka to stay because he is irreplaceable, a top, top player, great professional and great boy, and we really need to do our best to keep him at the club.
“We need to keep our best players, we can’t afford to lose our best players, that’s for sure.”
Redknapp hailed Modric’s quality and professionalism, and expected him to play with dignity and grace if Spurs managed to hold on to him. He said-
“When he came out there today he made such a difference to us. He is such a fantastic player; he gets on the ball and makes us play. He and [Rafael] van der Vaart are real quality, we need them for sure.
“It’s not the first time he’s been captain today, he captained the team in the Premier League when Michael Dawson didn’t start or Ledley [King] wasn’t there so it’s not a problem.
“Like I say, he’s a model professional in my opinion and always will be, he’s a great guy and a great player.”
Redknapp revealed that a few players were available for transfers, like Robbie Keane, if the right sum came along. But he stressed that Spurs were not a selling club and would fight hard to keep hold of their best players.
“No, Robbie is available for transfer if someone wants to take him, he’s still a good player. But he’s still with us and while he’s with us he still has a chance of playing.”
“We’ll be okay, we need a couple of new players, two or three players with ability.
“We couldn’t afford [Arsenal attacker Samir] Nasri’s wages; Manchester City offered him massive, fantastic wages and we couldn’t afford him.”
It remains to be seen whether Modric’s future is resolved amicably or things become unpleasant. Stay tuned for more in this regard.
