Modric needs to stay – Van der Vaart

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart hopes that team-mate Luka Modric will remain at the club.

The Croatian international has been subject to intense speculation in recent weeks and the club have turned down a £22m bid from rivals Chelsea for the players’ signature.

Chairman Daniel Levy issued a statement insisting that 25-year-old will not be going anywhere and Van der Vaart feels that Modric’s desire to leave is not motivated by money.

“If someone wants to leave it’s difficult to keep them,” he told Sky Sports News.

“When a player is unhappy it’s not a good thing.

“Luka and (Gareth) Bale don’t play for money – they play to win something. If they have to go to another club it’s their decision.

“But I hope they stay because they are fantastic and really important for the club.”

Van der Vaart, who joined Spurs on deadline day last summer, helped Spurs to the Champions League quarter-finals last season but won’t be playing with Europe’s elite the coming campaign after finishing fifth.

The Dutchman believes that keeping hold of Modric is pivotal to Spurs reaching the Champions League again next season.

“Drop too many points and you don’t deserve to be in the Champions League so next season we are going to focus on the Europa League,” he added.

“As a player, you want to improve every year but the important thing is to help the team. If we stay together we have a good squad.”