Modric will travel, insist Spurs
Tottenham are adamant that Luka Modric will depart for South Africa for the club's pre-season tour tomorrow despite reports an increased bid from Chelsea for the playmaker.
The Blues have reportedly gone back to Spurs with a £27m bid for Modric after seeing their initial offer of £22m rejected last month.
Both Tottenham and Chelsea have refused to confirm officially whether a second bid has been lodged, but it is understood that Spurs are deeply unhappy with their London rivals' pursuit of the former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder, who is 14 months into a six-year contract.
Modric has stated in three interviews in recent few weeks that he is determined to leave White Hart Lane and complete a "dream" move to Chelsea, who can offer him the Champions League football that Spurs can not.
The latest interview he gave on Saturday with a Croatian newspaper has infuriated Spurs fans. The 25-year-old accused chairman Daniel Levy of being "arrogant" and of reneging on a deal that would allow him to leave Tottenham if a big club came in with a reasonable bid for the star.
Despite the stinging personal attack, Levy has not altered his stance with Modric and the club fully expect him to board the plane for South Africa when it leaves tomorrow afternoon.
The club are adamant that all their first-team squad will fly to the country, where they are scheduled to play in a tournament with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Spurs' first match is on Saturday.
Modric's representative Nikki Arthur Vuksan confirmed the player will be going on the trip.
"Of course Luka will be going to South Africa. He is a Tottenham player and he has a contract there," he said.
Spurs midfielder Niko Kranjcar, meanwhile, thinks his future at the club will depend on how the Modric transfer saga plays out.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is resigned to losing Kranjcar after he became disillusioned with his lack of first-team football last season, but an asking price of between £8m and £13m has so far discouraged potential suitors.
Dinamo Kiev and Fiorentina have made enquiries but Kranjcar admits he may now stay if Modric leaves.
"I'm quite calm about the situation at the moment but of course it will be nice to see how things will end," Kranjcar said in Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List.
"This summer's transfer window will be one of the most interesting moments in my career.
"If Tottenham sell Luka Modric, they will certainly keep me. However, if Luka stays, I will probably be loaned out."
Kranjcar will use the tour of South Africa to convince Redknapp that he deserves a place in his first XI this season.
"I will try once again fight for a place in the starting line up," he added.
