Source: NotW
Luka Modric will be the shock name on the Spurs exit list this summer.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is planning a massive overhaul of his squad at the end of the season and Modric (right) is set to be the most surprising departure.
Redknapp has repeatedly sung the praises of the Croatian midfielder, who will face Manchester United at Wembley today.
But he will be presented with a dilemma when a couple of Serie A clubs come calling in the summer. Both Inter Milan and Juventus are keen on the 23-year-old, who has not made as big an impact in the Premier League as had been expected.
Modric has scored just once in 22 league games and has a total of just three goal from 29 starts. Although he was never expected to be prolific, it is still a disappointing return from an attacking midfielder.
And with Redknapp's preferred attacking pairing likely to be Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, it is difficult to see how Modric can fit into the system in the long term.
That might tempt Spurs and Redknapp into selling Modric if they can recoup the £16million they paid to Dinamo Zagreb last summer.
Modric himself might not be averse to a move away from the Premier League, which has proved to be a very demanding test for him.
Reports in Italy have suggested the Modric camp would be keen on switching to Serie A.
And while Redknapp remains a big fan — and will be hoping Modric orchestrates a Wembley triumph over United this afternoon — the manager could well think it is best for all parties if a move happens.
A Modric exit would be the main surprise in a summer clearout at White Hart Lane.
Having spent nearly £50million in the transfer window, Redknapp knows he will have to sell before making any purchases in the summer.
And as many as six big names will be in the Spurs shop window.
Striker Darren Bent has essentially been available for the right offer for a while and could be a target for Aston Villa while David Bentley's fortunes under Redknapp have been mixed.
Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone were seen as two international stars in the making but struggle to cement a starting place. They could both attract decent fees.
The same applies to Jermaine Jenas, who was close to a move to Inter in January and has slipped down the pecking order after the £14million arrival Wilson Palacios from Wigan.
Spurs would certainly offload 19-year-old Giovani dos Santos who has failed to make an imapct since his switch from Barcelona and has played only three times under Redknapp.
The Mexican admitted: “I left Barca because I was searching for more opportunities. I am learning a lot in the Premier League and I will continue working to try to return to Barca.”
Spurs’ last 12 months have been a disappointment and skipper Ledley King has warned his team-mates they cannot let the Carling Cup affect their form as it did last season.
King, who faces a late fitness test today, admitted: “We really believed we could push on from last year’s Carling Cup win but the disappointing thing is that it has not happened.
“We were looking to really push up the league this year and make a challenge and compete with the top four teams. We know that we can beat the big teams on our day.”
Redknapp rested his first-team for the UEFA Cup clash against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, although Jamie O’Hara returned from injury and played his way into contention for Wembley.
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Redknapp to ditch Modric in massive Spurs clearout?
Discussion in 'Spurscommunity Front Page News' started by mawspurs, Mar 1, 2009.
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