Luka Modric bound for South Africa on Tottenham tour
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Your support makes all the difference.Luka Modric will fly to South Africa for Tottenham's pre-season tour today after manager Harry Redknapp insisted there was no chance of the wantaway midfielder joining Chelsea.
Modric attempted to speed up his "dream" move to Stamford Bridge last weekend when he launched a stinging attack on Daniel Levy, accusing the Spurs chairman of reneging on a deal that would allow him to join a bigger club.
Spurs deny such an agreement exists, however, and Modric's outburst seems to have further strengthened the club's resolve to deny him the move he craves.
Despite a reported £27million bid from the Blues, Spurs insist their star player is not for sale and they fully expect him to take part in the week-long tour which begins today.
Redknapp reiterated the club's hardball stance over the saga yesterday, insisting a bid of over £30million or even a transfer request will not change the situation.
"There is nowhere to go with it really. That's the end of it. The chairman has made his stance. He is not for sale and that's it," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"I still think £27million is a pretty poor offer in my opinion for a player of that ability."
When asked whether a bid of £30million may change the club's stance, Redknapp said: "I don't think so. I honestly value him way in excess of that."
Redknapp was similarly abrupt when asked what would happen if Modric went back on his pledge not to submit a transfer request, saying: "I wouldn't see it having any effect on the situation."
Modric is expected to play in the three-match Vodacom challenge in South Africa in which Tottenham will play the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, with their first match coming against the former on Saturday.
"Luka will be going to South Africa, for sure. He is the last lad in the world that would ever cause a problem. You would never meet a nicer boy. He has not got it in him to be nasty," added Redknapp.
"There are players who would want to go who would be a real problem. I have come across many players who, if they wanted to go somewhere, then they would kick up and make sure he got away, but that's just not in his nature."
Spurs' fierce resolve to hold on to Modric will be strengthened by the news that Sandro could be out for a month after tearing his meniscus in his right knee while at the Copa America with Brazil.
"It is a problem that I have had been feeling for some time," Sandro was quoted as saying on the UOL Esporte website.
"It has been troubling me more recently because it has stopped me practising.
"The examination found that I have to have surgery. Unfortunately for me the injury happened now, at an important moment of my career. But I will have the surgery and try to recover soon."
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