Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea bid £27m for Tottenham's Luka Modric
Chelsea have tabled an improved ?27million offer for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric.[LNB]But White Hart Lane chiefs still insisted the bid comprising a ?25m downpayment and a performance-related ?2m, would be rejected and the club have no intention of selling the Croat.[LNB]New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has already had a ?22m bid turned down for the 25-year-old.[LNB] Blues Brothers? Modric (right) could yet join David Luiz at Chelsea if Spurs allow him to leave[LNB]Modric is eager to move to Stamford Bridge and launched a scathing attack on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy at the weekend for blocking his dream switch.[LNB]Owner Roman Abramovich made another bid for Modric after Chelsea learned that midfielder Michael Essien would miss the next six months with a knee injury.[LNB]But Tottenham, already angered by Modric's verbal attack on Levy, are as determined as ever to resist their advances.[LNB]Manager Harry Redknapp said: 'Our stance is the same, we don't want to lose him.[LNB] Under orders: Harry Redknapp is determined to hold onto Modric this summer[LNB]'But I understand it's a difficult situation for him. It's not easy. When clubs come along and offer to double or treble your wages it makes it hard for him.[LNB]'At the end of the day it's up to the chairman, he makes those decisions. I certainly wouldn't want to lose him but it's a difficult situation. I'm desperate to keep him because he's so good.'[LNB]Despite Modric's outburst, Redknapp confirmed the player trained with the rest of the team but sat out a run through Hainault Forest in Essex due to concerns over an ankle injury from last season.[LNB]Tottenham are keen to draw a line under the saga, but their resolve to hang on to Modric is sure to be tested again given Chelsea's determination to sign him.[LNB]Sources close to Modric told Sportsmail the midfielder remains determined to quit White Hart Lane this summer, despite Tottenham's unwillingness to give in to his wishes. But handing in a transfer request was a last resort. Essien's injury has added to Chelsea's urgency to sign Modric.[LNB] Blow: Michael Essien (left) has been ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury[LNB]The Ghana powerhouse was taken to hospital on Thursday after breaking down in training and has been undergoing a series of tests trying to establish the extent of the injury.[LNB]He had surgery yesterday to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and is set to miss the rest of 2011.[LNB]Villas-Boas said: 'Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well. His team-mates and all the staff look forward to helping him return as soon as possible.'[LNB]Tottenham meanwhile completed the signing of Barcelona's 18-year-old midfielder Christian Ceballos, who trained with the club at the end of last season.[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEChelsea's title bid suffers early blow as Essien is ruled out for six monthsChelsea planning fresh Modric bid amidst new fears over injury-plagued Essien All the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB]
