Modric no-show means Madrid move is a Real possibility

Spurs midfielder Luka Modric is so determined to force a move to Real Madrid that he didn’t show up for training yesterday and is unlikely to go on the club’s pre-season tour to the USA today.

Tottenham are resigned to losing a man who has arguably been their best player in recent seasons, but are determined to get value for money for the Croatian, who has been highly coveted by Chelsea and Manchester United as well as the Spanish champions.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would rather sell his prized asset to a foreign club rather than a Premier League rival and that – as well as, eh, the chance to live in sunny Spain and to play for one of the best teams in the world – has put Madrid in the driving seat to secure the signing of the 26-year old.

According to a report in The Guardian, Real have put together a £31 million package (approximately £25 million up front with £6 million in add-ons) to persuade Spurs to part with Modric, but the Norf Landan club are holding out for a fee closer to £40 million.

In an effort to force the move through, however, Modric did not report for Spurs training on Friday and may not travel to America with the rest of the squad for the pre-season tour today. He made an appearance at Spurs’ training ground on Thursday but it was only a token one and the club did not explain his absence yesterday, casting further doubts on his future with the Spuds.

This is not unchartered territory for Modric, of course, who was keen to move to Chelsea last season, but played on and played well for Spurs when the two clubs could not agree the terms of his transfer.

He seems far more likely to move on this time around, however, even though Spurs are said to have no interest in players such as Ricardo Carvalho and Nuri Sahin who Madrid have offered in part exchange, meaning that they may have to stump up a few more quid to ensure the deal goes through.

Where Modric will fit in an already star-studded Madrid midfield is another matter entirely, but that will be for Jose Mourinho to work out as the deal looks to be as good as set in stone at this stage.