Mirror reporting that we are ready to offer £22m for Modric...can't see Levy accepting that!
Luka Modric / Signs for Real Madrid
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IF it is true, which I doubt, it's an opening bid. You don't go right in with the £35m offer. Same with Kagawa, we started at about £10m and had to move up.
I think one of the rags reported that we had a valuation for the likes of Baines, including Modric, and the price we would pay for Modric is £32m max.
My impression we will try to get a deal done, possibly player exchange, but if Levy plays hard ball and demands silly money we will simply walk away, hence the reason we have other options.
Looking at the heights of the player we signed Kagawa - 5ft8 and those we are interested in Modric 5ft8 and Baines 5ft 7, it seems that this will be the year of midget signings
Well its seems that we're opting for technique (which is usually found in shorter players) rather then physicality, which is good enough for me. As long as we've got two 6.3ft defenders at the back capable of offering aerial protection against crosses/long ball football then we're sorted.
The days of Wimbledon are long gone, coupled with the fact tackling/physical contact is slowly being phased out of the game, i don't see it that important anymore.
Yesterday's Wimbledon are Today's Stoke...
Yep, i'm sure we can just about cope against them but in the main most like or try to play football.
Its still important against smaller sides who still rely on physicality. The 'if you can't dazzle them with technique then you kick their butt' mentality is still going strong in EPL. Not countering for such teams will cost you points. However I believe that we've got enough steel in team with players like Vidic, Smalling, Carrick, Valencia, Park and Rooney. Modric and Kagawa won't be shy in deliver that tackle if needed.
Surprised that this thread is so dead. I would think that our interest in Modric is real and he is a proven quality player.
Does no one believe the Mirror story?
Does no one believe the Mirror story?
I think we're definitely interested. As Stanley pointed out, if it's true, then it's likely to be the initial bid.
There's no way Spurs will let Modric go for £22m. They'd want at least £30m for him.
There's no way Spurs will let Modric go for £22m. They'd want at least £30m for him.
They'll want mad money I reckon. So I can't see it really.
I'm calling bollocks. We all know Tottenham would rinse us and I can't see us falling for that again, not for a player Modric's age.
This will never happen. Stop it you muppets. To the Diame-thread!
Exactly. They'll want a fortune. That we wont pay...and quite frankly shouldn't.
If we sign Diame as our central midfielder I might tear my own eyes out.
How Manchester United could get Luka Modric for less than £30m, and why that would be right
Stories have been in the British media this week saying that Sir Alex Ferguson will not be paying over the odds for players this summer and is preparing an initial £22m bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric. The bid would surely be turned down and then the dance of transfer negotiation would begin, but United may not need to go over £30m to get their man this summer.
But Andy Carroll cost £35m and Jordan Henderson cost £20m and such a person cost such an amount and those were all ridiculous fees so how can you say Modric is worth less than £30m when you compare it to that?
Hmm, if a transfer fee is widely thought to be ridiculous then it can hardly used for comparison. It's madness that Liverpool paid £35m to Newcastle United for Andy Carroll but the imaginary transfer inflation that creates doesn't make Danny Welbeck worth £40m, Gonzalo Higuain £70m and Luka Modric anything more than £30m.
Sometimes odd fees will be paid through mad panic, incompetence, or simply because there is huge competition for a player. None of these situations apply to Luka Modric, Manchester United, and this transfer window.
Chelsea seem to have changed their plans since originally going for the Croatian and he doesn't look like a target for Manchester City. However, if either of those sides came in throwing huge amounts around then the likelihood is that Manchester United would simply walk away.
Gone are the days when United would add an extra £2m after each 'no', assuming they were getting closer to the inevitable 'yes'. If the deal isn't good for the Old Trafford club then the deal won't be done, that seems to be as widely accepted this summer as the claims that Daniel Levy will try to bleed as much as possible out of clubs for his players.
So a compromise would have to be reached and Levy will be aware that this time Manchester United would simply walk away before getting into the realms of what they would consider to be silly money. Even the most staunch Tottenham fan must accept it's unlikely Luka Modric will see out his career at White Hart Lane. So it then becomes a question of when and not if he leaves the club.
Modric will turn 27 around the start of next season which puts him at the outer limits of Manchester United's recruitment policy. Fans don't like to think about potential sell-on fees but money men do and it's they who hold the purse strings.
In April the Modric to Manchester United link was talked up with a fee of £40m but, regardless of what Andy Carroll cost and regardless of what Chelsea were said to have offered, that sounded too much.
I said at the time:
Has Luka Modric become one of those players who everyone says is underrated to the point that he becomes a bit overrated with people still claiming he doesn't get enough credit. < Read that three times and it may make sense.
Modric has been labelled one of those 'Thinking Fan's Footballers' which generally means that if you criticise his value to a team then you have no idea about the game. It's a term, coupled with others, used to explain the credits of a player when they're not immediately obvious.
To be clear Luka Modric is a very gifted footballer who can glide through a midfield and make it tick, he's excellent at keeping things going and linking play from the back to the front. When on form, there are few better at that role.
However, he doesn't directly assist in many (yes, I know assist stats are subjective but eyes aren't) and he doesn't score many. Those aren't his strengths, he's not really a dynamic player - he isn't the Scholes replacement some think he is. The little ginger veteran has an urgency to his game this season that Modric simply doesn't.
Is there any kind of leadership and responsibility from Modric on the pitch, does he drag his team on when they need his help? The second half of this season, and other spells, would suggest not. There are suggestions the player is tired and has played too many games, but Luka Modric's total number of Tottenham appearances this season is 36, hardly the stuff of legend. There are further suggestions that rumours of interest from Chelsea and Manchester City have affected his form during differing chunks of the season, well that's hardly something you'd want on a footballer's CV is it?
A big move to Manchester United and instant and constant brilliance would be demanded from the Croatian, you only need look at the reaction to David de Gea to understand that. It's impossible to tell and I don't want to slate his mental strength because the 'transfer gossip' excuse used by Harry Redknapp to explain patchy form could just be a way to protect his player.
Obviously that's all taking a negative slant on it and there's the flip side that he could come and solve all Manchester United's issues and recreate the Garden of Eden at Old Trafford, I'm not saying that isn't possible but there's countless articles painting that picture and I just wanted to balance it out.
Back to the actual transfer and it's 'value', the Croatian will be 27 around the start of next season and if he moves then he'd be wanting a five year contract on way over £100,000 a week, he'd know that would take him close to the end of most player's careers. Great for him but it's doubtful he'd be at his best when he's coming up to 32 and, whether fans like it or not, the potential for sell on fee comes into the thinking when evaluating a transfer.
So let's say United do pay £40m and give him a not eye watering £150,000 a week for five years. The total, not including agents fees, would be £89m with little chance to recoup some through a decent sell on fee. Even at £30m, the cost is still £79m, based on those wage figures which could go higher or lower.
Why should fans care about that? Well, they're welcome to stick their fingers in their ears and pretend it doesn't matter but should the transfer not work then it's highly unlikely another option would be riding into town. He'd be given at least two years, taking him to near 29, and then if it had gone wrong there'd be few clubs willing to part with anything substantial for him.
Like most transfers, this one has its risk and Manchester United will not be throwing caution to the wind in their pursuit of Luka Modric. Whilst the initial bid of £22m mentioned by several in the press may seem too low, it's probably much closer to what the club will be willing to pay than any previous claims of £40m.
Daniel Levy could find himself with a player handing in his second transfer request in two years, and only one realistic buyer.
Stories have been in the British media this week saying that Sir Alex Ferguson will not be paying over the odds for players this summer and is preparing an initial £22m bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric. The bid would surely be turned down and then the dance of transfer negotiation would begin, but United may not need to go over £30m to get their man this summer.
But Andy Carroll cost £35m and Jordan Henderson cost £20m and such a person cost such an amount and those were all ridiculous fees so how can you say Modric is worth less than £30m when you compare it to that?
Hmm, if a transfer fee is widely thought to be ridiculous then it can hardly used for comparison. It's madness that Liverpool paid £35m to Newcastle United for Andy Carroll but the imaginary transfer inflation that creates doesn't make Danny Welbeck worth £40m, Gonzalo Higuain £70m and Luka Modric anything more than £30m.
Sometimes odd fees will be paid through mad panic, incompetence, or simply because there is huge competition for a player. None of these situations apply to Luka Modric, Manchester United, and this transfer window.
Chelsea seem to have changed their plans since originally going for the Croatian and he doesn't look like a target for Manchester City. However, if either of those sides came in throwing huge amounts around then the likelihood is that Manchester United would simply walk away.
Gone are the days when United would add an extra £2m after each 'no', assuming they were getting closer to the inevitable 'yes'. If the deal isn't good for the Old Trafford club then the deal won't be done, that seems to be as widely accepted this summer as the claims that Daniel Levy will try to bleed as much as possible out of clubs for his players.
So a compromise would have to be reached and Levy will be aware that this time Manchester United would simply walk away before getting into the realms of what they would consider to be silly money. Even the most staunch Tottenham fan must accept it's unlikely Luka Modric will see out his career at White Hart Lane. So it then becomes a question of when and not if he leaves the club.
Modric will turn 27 around the start of next season which puts him at the outer limits of Manchester United's recruitment policy. Fans don't like to think about potential sell-on fees but money men do and it's they who hold the purse strings.
In April the Modric to Manchester United link was talked up with a fee of £40m but, regardless of what Andy Carroll cost and regardless of what Chelsea were said to have offered, that sounded too much.
I said at the time:
Has Luka Modric become one of those players who everyone says is underrated to the point that he becomes a bit overrated with people still claiming he doesn't get enough credit. < Read that three times and it may make sense.
Modric has been labelled one of those 'Thinking Fan's Footballers' which generally means that if you criticise his value to a team then you have no idea about the game. It's a term, coupled with others, used to explain the credits of a player when they're not immediately obvious.
To be clear Luka Modric is a very gifted footballer who can glide through a midfield and make it tick, he's excellent at keeping things going and linking play from the back to the front. When on form, there are few better at that role.
However, he doesn't directly assist in many (yes, I know assist stats are subjective but eyes aren't) and he doesn't score many. Those aren't his strengths, he's not really a dynamic player - he isn't the Scholes replacement some think he is. The little ginger veteran has an urgency to his game this season that Modric simply doesn't.
Is there any kind of leadership and responsibility from Modric on the pitch, does he drag his team on when they need his help? The second half of this season, and other spells, would suggest not. There are suggestions the player is tired and has played too many games, but Luka Modric's total number of Tottenham appearances this season is 36, hardly the stuff of legend. There are further suggestions that rumours of interest from Chelsea and Manchester City have affected his form during differing chunks of the season, well that's hardly something you'd want on a footballer's CV is it?
A big move to Manchester United and instant and constant brilliance would be demanded from the Croatian, you only need look at the reaction to David de Gea to understand that. It's impossible to tell and I don't want to slate his mental strength because the 'transfer gossip' excuse used by Harry Redknapp to explain patchy form could just be a way to protect his player.
Obviously that's all taking a negative slant on it and there's the flip side that he could come and solve all Manchester United's issues and recreate the Garden of Eden at Old Trafford, I'm not saying that isn't possible but there's countless articles painting that picture and I just wanted to balance it out.
Back to the actual transfer and it's 'value', the Croatian will be 27 around the start of next season and if he moves then he'd be wanting a five year contract on way over £100,000 a week, he'd know that would take him close to the end of most player's careers. Great for him but it's doubtful he'd be at his best when he's coming up to 32 and, whether fans like it or not, the potential for sell on fee comes into the thinking when evaluating a transfer.
So let's say United do pay £40m and give him a not eye watering £150,000 a week for five years. The total, not including agents fees, would be £89m with little chance to recoup some through a decent sell on fee. Even at £30m, the cost is still £79m, based on those wage figures which could go higher or lower.
Why should fans care about that? Well, they're welcome to stick their fingers in their ears and pretend it doesn't matter but should the transfer not work then it's highly unlikely another option would be riding into town. He'd be given at least two years, taking him to near 29, and then if it had gone wrong there'd be few clubs willing to part with anything substantial for him.
Like most transfers, this one has its risk and Manchester United will not be throwing caution to the wind in their pursuit of Luka Modric. Whilst the initial bid of £22m mentioned by several in the press may seem too low, it's probably much closer to what the club will be willing to pay than any previous claims of £40m.
Daniel Levy could find himself with a player handing in his second transfer request in two years, and only one realistic buyer.
Value for money...?
I suppose Modric is back up for Hazard too? 
I suppose Modric is back up for Hazard too?
No sir - it's because we didn't get promising young pornstar Jack Rod Well.
I think we paid for that article. food for thought for Levy
Park and steel? the guy falls over if you so much as breathe on him.
What makes you think that Chelsea have stopped their pursuit of the player? They still need a replacement for Lampard, and the ever-missing Essien. I think that will be his destination.
This summer may well be the last occasion for Spurs to make good money out of Modric. Spurs don't need to cash in, however, keeping an unhappy player for too long is dangerous.
In my opinion we should stick to a 25-30m offer. If we don't get him, tough luck. I hope that we consider cheaper alternatives like Sahin. I dont mind getting him on loan with a minimum fee clause attached to it.
In my opinion we should stick to a 25-30m offer. If we don't get him, tough luck. I hope that we consider cheaper alternatives like Sahin. I dont mind getting him on loan with a minimum fee clause attached to it.
Knowing Spurs, this will descend into a blinking contest and last until the end of August.
I still find it doubtful that we'll be getting him but with Spurs out of CL second season in a row he must be even more frustrated and eager to move than he was last year.
Chelsea should still be favourites but will they even make a bid? Since last season when they wanted him they bought Mata, Meireles and Hazard who could all play centrally and are creative (well, Meireles is a bit limited in that sense).
It's definitely possible and it'd be a great move if we could bring another defensive midfielder just in case Carrick gets injured or simply needs to rest. I'm not sure about money though - £30m fee plus £150k a week is huge.
Chelsea should still be favourites but will they even make a bid? Since last season when they wanted him they bought Mata, Meireles and Hazard who could all play centrally and are creative (well, Meireles is a bit limited in that sense).
It's definitely possible and it'd be a great move if we could bring another defensive midfielder just in case Carrick gets injured or simply needs to rest. I'm not sure about money though - £30m fee plus £150k a week is huge.
One bad season and the haters are out eh? Anyone remember his performance against Chelsea in the game that won us the title the season before last? He was HARD in the tackle.
Out of that list if anyone shouldn't belong there it's Carrick not Park..
Would Spurs accept 20-22 mil plus Berbatov for Modric?
With Adebayor going Berbatov would be superb option for the next couple of years at least?
With Adebayor going Berbatov would be superb option for the next couple of years at least?
That was when we had a defense like a brick wall and an attack that included Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney. We had a far better team then. Also, our competition has gotten a lot better since then.
What is Spurs' financial situation like? They've missed out on Champions League revenue 2 seasons running now, but do they even need to sell anyone? Some on here seem to think that's the case and I'm just wondering where they got that idea from.
He would be perfect, though, we haven't had a player like him for ages. I don't really buy the Scholes comparisons, but he does remind a bit of Giggs when he plays in central midfield... in a good way, obviously.
Think back to the second half of 05/06 or some of his European performances over the last couple of years. I reckon Modric can bring the same kind of qualities to the side (mobility, vision, good with the ball in tight spaces, etc). With Kagawa in there too we'd be so much more creative through the middle than we have for the last few years. I'm getting a semi just thinking about it.
He would be perfect, though, we haven't had a player like him for ages. I don't really buy the Scholes comparisons, but he does remind a bit of Giggs when he plays in central midfield... in a good way, obviously.
Think back to the second half of 05/06 or some of his European performances over the last couple of years. I reckon Modric can bring the same kind of qualities to the side (mobility, vision, good with the ball in tight spaces, etc). With Kagawa in there too we'd be so much more creative through the middle than we have for the last few years. I'm getting a semi just thinking about it.
Eh? Definitely more like Scholes than Giggs.
Overrated beyond belief. The though of spending £30 million + & £150,000 wages on him makes me want to cry. Would be another Berbatov situation all over again.
Yeah and part of the reason that defence was so good was that was they had excellent protection in front of them in Carrick and Fletcher. We might not have as many individually brilliant players now but our attacking options are still excellent, they just need a platform to work off. Chelsea just showed you can win those games without being the best and when everyone is fit I think we're much better equipped to do counter attacking football.
Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney was excellent but at times it could be unbalanced. A front four off Nani, Rooney, Welbeck/Kagawa and Young may not have as many star names but has great balance and variety to it.
A fully fit Fletcher last year would have seen us win the title imo and progress in europe-who knows how far. Sadly we can't rely on him to be fully fit, which is why we need to sign another midfielder who is defensively strong, not a defensive midfielder, just someone who can come in with Carrick and make us solid, we need that more than a modric.
Before signing a Modric, we need someone more solid defensively to either play with Carrick or be cover for him. After having signed Kagawa, i dont even feel we need a totally attack minded CM anymore. Enough attacking options already.
You know very well that Fergie is going to lump Jones there next season if needed. That's if we do go for a Modric type player.
I hope not because Jones isnt ready to play as a defensive mid. Playing him alongside a Carrick in a role similar to Fletch is still okay with me, but not the holding role to bind everything together.
Have we been linked with again then or is this just us fans speculating? I'm not even sure I want him...