Modric: "I want to Leave Tottenham"...but Stay In London

Manchester United and Chelsea's prime target this season has confirmed that he wants to leave his club, Tottenham. Luka Modric confirmed the news to the Mail on his holiday boat, but in a big blow to Manchester United's chances of signing him, said that he wanted to stay in London whilst praising Chelsea, their players and the whole Chelsea set-up. Modric said:

"I want to leave Tottenham as friends. I have enjoyed my time there, but now it is right for me to look at another club." 

"I have an arrangement with the chairman. When I signed my new contract, he said that, if another club came to sign me, they would consider the offer." 

"Chelsea are a big club with an  ambitious owner. They have great players and they have ambitions to fight for the title and win the Champions League." 

"I want to stay in  London. I am very happy here and so are my  family. I like the city."

"I don’t want to have an argument with Tottenham. The supporters have been very good to me and I have enjoyed my time playing for the club, but it is for football that players leave clubs and move. It has happened to Tottenham before. It is normal for a player to dream about playing for a bigger club."

"If somebody comes to the club and the offer is good for me and  acceptable to them, then I want to leave. It has to be good for my ambition. It has to be a club who are winning titles and playing in the Champions League." 

"This is not about money, it is about  ambition. When I came to England, I was dreaming about winning titles. That is still the same." 

"Tottenham are a big club, with good players and a good manager, but I want to fight for the championship. Spurs will always have a place in my heart. My experiences in the  Champions League have left me with the desire for more."

"I need to talk with the chairman. I won’t ask for a transfer, no. That would be disrespectful. I hope they can reach an agreement (with another club) that is satisfactory for everyone. I am on holiday, but I need to speak and to see if I can find a solution to this."

It is a big blow for Tottenham, but Manchester United still have a decent chance of snapping up the Croatian. Chelsea re currently the only side to have placed a bid for the player, so it is understandable that he has had his head turned by them, but if United were to equal or up the bid, it would give the player a choice - a difficult choice. Chelsea do have their location on their side, but United have the challenge of stepping into Paul Scholes's boots and making a name for himself at the biggest club in England.

Read my evaluation of Luka Modric's qualities (as if you need to) and a small comparison to Paul Scholes here.

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