Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has claimed that chairman Daniel Levy has broken a gentleman’s agreement in denying him a move away from Spurs.
Modric is reportedly keen on a move to Chelsea and the Blues have seen a £22m bid rejected by the club, a bid that was described as ‘farcical’ by manager Harry Redknapp.
Levy and representatives of Modric met last week and the Spurs chairman claimed that 25-year-old was happy at White Hart Lane and will not be sold.
However, the diminutive playmaker has told Croatian publication Sportske Novosti that Levy has gone back on a gentleman’s agreement organised between the two.
“I haven’t thought about it at all because [not letting me go] would definitely not be good for anyone. I have already told the chairman that last summer he said we would find a mutually satisfactory agreement if a club like Chelsea came in,” he said
“I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner.”
The Chelsea and Manchester United target has also claimed that he was threatened with demotion to the reserves should he not honour his current deal.
“A lot has been published in the press about the meeting with Levy, who gave the public a twisted account of what happened,” Modric went on to say.
“I must say that I am genuinely disappointed about what Levy said to me. He didn’t care about what I was telling him. It all only convinced me further that I was right to consider moving on to another club.
“I reminded the chairman of our gentleman’s agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham.
“Then I had an open chat with Levy – that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned.
“The chairman said, ‘OK, we’ll sit and talk [about any offers]’. Now Levy doesn’t want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs.
“He threatened me – he said if I didn’t accept the club’s stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands.”
Modric has also admitted he is being tracked by Chelsea and is highly sought after by new manager Andre Villas-Boas.
“There is no doubt that Chelsea want me – they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham. I know that the new Chelsea boss said he wants me in his team,” he added.
“Of course I am flattered by this interest in me, it’s a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available.
“It wasn’t a snap decision, I talked a long time with my family and people whose opinions I respect. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option.”
