Soccer:Croatia head coach Igor Stimac has launched a withering attack on Daniel Levy, accusing the Tottenham chairman of breaking promises to Luka Modric over a potential transfer to Real Madrid.
Modric has not played for Spurs this summer after he refused to go on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, a move that landed him with a fine.
Modric is desperate to move to Real Madrid, but so far the Spanish champions have not met Tottenham’s asking price of just under £40million. The playmaker will take part in his first game of the summer tonight when he lines up for Croatia against Switzerland in Split.
His current situation has left Stimac hugely disappointed, with the former West Ham defender today accusing Tottenham’s chairman of breaking promises to Modric, and of trying to make a name for himself over the saga.
“Daniel Levy promised a year ago that if an offer from Madrid arrived he would let him go. And when the offer arrived he changed his opinion,” Stimac pointed out. “I think that this guy tries to make himself famous in the world of football, but this isn’t the way to do it.
“When you promise something you always need to fulfil it. It was the same with (Dimitar) Berbatov before he signed for Manchester United. He went there on August 31st.”
Levy was not available to respond to the claims this morning, but the Spurs chairman has made it clear that Modric can leave White Hart Lane; something he refused to allow last summer despite a £40million bid from Chelsea.
Tottenham are keen to offload the player, but will not budge from their asking price, particularly when Modric, who is regarded as one of the best players in his position in Europe, has four years left on his current deal.
Stimac remains confident that Modric will end up at the Bernabeu though, adding: “He (Modric) has already made his decision and he’s very clear about what he’s going to do. It’s the only thing he wants, to go to Madrid.
“Luka is a very sincere person, very sensitive, but very tough as well. He is very keen to play at Real Madrid and, as well as that, he has the promise of Levy. I only hope that this promise ends up being fulfilled.”
Paris St Germain are also understood to be interested in signing Modric. Tottenham did not comment on Stimac’s claims when contacted this morning.