Tottenham have received a huge boost ahead of next season’s Champions League exploits with the news that highly-rated play-maker Luka Modric has committed his long-term future to the club, signing a new six-year contract that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2016.
Modric, who joined Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008, has scotched rumours of a summer switch to Manchester United by pledging the next half-a-decade of his playing career to Spurs, in a deal estimated to be worth around £18 million.
United reportedly lodged a £25 million bid for the 24-year-old midfielder last week but Tottenham instantly rejected any talk of a transfer, and have now signalled their intent to build on the previous season’s success by signing up the Croatian for the long haul.
Upon signing the deal, Modric – speaking to Spurs’ official website – insisted that he had no interest in going anywhere else, as he intends to repay the club’s faith in him by helping to add further silverware to the trophy cabinet;
“Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them.
Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere.
Last season’s top four finish was an indication of where we are as a club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs.”
The eagerness of Modric to sign a lengthy new contract at Tottenham represents another significant coup for the ascendant north London club, following the similarly long-term commitments made by defensive pair Gareth Bale and Ledley King.
With a few choice additions (a world-class left-back would be my priority) and with a trimming of the ‘dead wood’ (i.e, Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane etc.) Spurs have the makings of a very competitive Champions League squad, although the question remains as to whether they collectively possess the necessary mentality and experience to seriously impress at the first attempt.
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