Spurs cannot afford to lose Modric – Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has reiterated his desire to keep hold of in demand midfielder Luka Modric.

The Croatian has been subject to intense speculation surrounding his future the past five days amidst a £22m bid from Chelsea.

The 25-year-old also confirmed his desire to leave White Hart Lane, a request that saw both Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy insisting that Modric won’t be leaving this summer.

Redknapp now believes that Spurs cannot afford to lose the diminutive playmaker and Redknapp has challeneged Levy to match the players’ ambitions.

“If Tottenham sell Luka then I feel it sends out a message that maybe Gareth Bale could leave and no one wants either to happen,” Redknapp told The Sun.

“I have seen that sort of thing before. West Ham decided to sell Rio Ferdinand and then all of a sudden they all seemed to go. That’s no good for any club.

“Tottenham need to keep their best players as well as add more quality to the squad if they want to mount a serious challenge for the title.

“Other top clubs raise the bar all the time and Spurs must keep pace. It’s as simple as that.

“Luka wants to be successful and if we can improve the squad then he can achieve that with us.

“I don’t envisage a problem with Luka. You could not meet a more professional man or a nicer person.

“It is so important for the club to keep him. I think we have to show him our ambition, which we will do.

“If we can add one or two good players to our squad there’s no reason we can’t have another great season. So Tottenham could be a great club for him to stay with for the next few years.

“We want to get back in the Champions League and we need him to help us do that.”

Chelsea are expected to return with an improved offer for Modric with Didier Drogba or Michael Essien mooted as possible make-weights in any transfer.