Soccer:Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has branded Chelsea's €25million bid to sign Luka Modric as "ridiculous" and insisted that his midfield star will not be leaving the club this summer.
Chelsea are understood to have had a €25million offer for the Croatian playmaker rejected last night. Redknapp is keen to hold on to the 25-year-old, who enjoyed a superb season at the heart of the Spurs midfield last year.
The 64-year-old recently described Modric as "irreplaceable" in the wake of reported interest from the Blues and today hit out at the Londoners' offer.
"Luka is not for sale," Redknapp told the BBC. "If there has been a bid of £22m (€25m) that is ridiculous. There are people being sold for £20m (€23m) who are not fit to lace Luka's boots."
Modric may have scored just four goals last season, but his tireless performances and creativity make him an obvious target for any top team looking to improve their midfield.
Earlier this month Modric told a Croatian newspaper that he was happy at Spurs but would be open to a move if the club altered their stance and chose to sell him.
"If an offer comes which is good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is possible," said Modric, who signed a new contract last year.
Redknapp reacted angrily to suggestions Modric could leave by insisting that the club's progression depended on retaining the services of players like him and star winger Gareth Bale.
Manchester United, who have a vacancy in midfield following the retirement of Paul Scholes, have also been linked with Modric, but Chelsea are thought to be the only team to have made a bid to sign the star so far.
Both Chelsea and United could offer the Champions League that Spurs cannot after they only finished fifth last season, qualifying them for the Europa League.
Chelsea could return with a second offer in the next few days, and after seeing Jordan Henderson move to Liverpool for €23million last week, an offer of just €25million for Modric seems well below his worth.
Chelsea are looking to strengthen their midfield next season after Frank Lampard (32) struggled with injury last term and the likes of Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel failed to find consistent form.
Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes Modric would be a perfect addition to the Blues squad.
"Modric is a player of immense quality that everyone with finance would want to buy. His craft and work ethic are brilliant, " Wilkins said. "He would fit in at Chelsea with no problem at all because he is a class player and he would be joining fellow class footballers.
"The consistency he has shown as a foreign player coming to the Premier League has been exceptional. He and (Manchester United's former goalkeeper Edwin) Van der Sar, were the best two players in the league last year."
Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister thinks that Alex Ferguson could be set to make a bid for Modric, who he feels would be the perfect man to fill Scholes' boots.
"There seems to be an impending feeling that Modric is going to move and for me he would be an ideal replacement for Scholes," Pallister said. "The imagination and vision he brings to the midfield makes him a target. He can also score wonderful goals as well, which is part of Scholes' make-up.
"He maybe doesn't tackle as ferociously as he does but he is a terrific talent. I'm sure there are a host of clubs who would love to sign him and I'm sure Harry would love to keep him."
