Luka Modric set for Real Madrid move as Spurs seek replacements

 

Real Madrid are close to finalising their protracted move for Spurs midfielder Luka Modric after increasing their offer to £30m.

The 26-year-old is expected to hold talks with Real officials in the coming days after the La Liga side revived a deal that had previously stalled.

Modric for Spurs last season

  • Appearances: 41
  • Goals: Six
  • Assists: Five
  • Shots: 101
  • Shots on Goal: 33

Modric is expected to undergo a medical and agree terms in the next 48 hours.

Spurs are lining up replacements with Porto's Joao Moutinho but also Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila on the radar.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas hopes to conclude the deal for Modric swiftly. "I think we will have a conclusion in the next couple of weeks," he said.

"He is still a Tottenham player but from what the chairman has told me talks are ongoing, they stalled a little bit two weeks ago, but they have picked up recently."

"Obviously we have outlined a couple of solutions (to replace Modric). We have made initial contact with a couple of clubs but I think before this situation is resolved we can't do anything because we already have a certain amount of players in that position."

A move for a new striker also remains a priority, with a deal for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor still on the table.

"There are talks (with City), they have been happening for quite some time," Villas-Boas added.

"We have touched on different players in that position, but we have not been able to conclude a deal. Our focus and attention is towards that position, which we will try to sort out next week."

Villas-Boas will be allowed to reinvest the funds raised by the sale of Modric, who has been training away from the first team since refusing to join Tottenham's pre-season tour of the United States.

The initial fee for the Modric deal is understood to be £25m, with a further £5m to come in add-ons.

Modric's departure may not be officially confirmed until Spurs are confident they have a deal in place for his replacement. Villas-Boas has been keen to bring in Moutinho for some time but Porto's asking price may be prohibitive.

M'Vila, previously a target for Arsenal, represents a cheaper alternative and would be available for around £15m.

Croatia international Modric joined Spurs from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 for a reported £16m and has four years left on his White Hart Lane contract.

It is the second consecutive summer when Modric's Tottenham future has been in doubt, with Spurs rejecting the advances of Chelsea last year to sign the player.