Modric may stay for record wages

London: Luka Modric will become the highest-paid player in Tottenham's history if he agrees to stay at White Hart Lane this summer.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will hold talks with the Chelsea target when the player returns for pre-season training on July and hopes that a double-your-money offer of £90,000 (Dh527,404) a week will persuade the Croat to pledge his long-term future to the club.

Levy, known for being strict in financial matters, has told Modric, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon they will not be sold at any price as Spurs bid for a return to the Champions League.

But he is also aware that 25-year-old Modric's £45,000 weekly wage — nearly £2 million a year less than top earners Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane — makes the club vulnerable to offers from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, whose £22-million bid for the midfielder was turned down a fortnight ago.

Modric would prefer to stay in London despite the higher wages on offer from United and City, while Chelsea's failure to follow up their initial bid suggests Roman Abramovich will not approach the £50 million British record which prised Fernando Torres from Liverpool.

Drogba as bait

New manager Andre Villas-Boas could offer Didier Drogba as bait for a deal. That might appeal to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, but Levy is sticking rigidly to his policy and allowing Modric to leave would affect the club's long-term ambitions.

If Modric calls for an exit clause in a new contract, it is unlikely Levy will accept it below £50 million.

While Modric is disappointed about Tottenham's failure to qualify for the Champions League, he is happy at the club and an improved deal could persuade him to stay. Chelsea's £22 million bid was slammed by Redknapp as "ridiculous" and Levy declared his star asset was not for sale ‘at any price'.

Modric, quoted as saying that Chelsea were "a big club with an ambitious owner", has no plans to rock the boat further and will report for pre-season training in 10 days' time.

But his future will depend on negotiations between Levy and Modric's representatives.

A source said: "Daniel Levy has been adamant that the key players for Tottenham's long-term success — Bale, Lennon and Modric — will not be sold."

"The things that Luka said about Chelsea have created a bit of a mess but the Spurs fans will be happy to see him back. It needs all sides to sit down and discuss the way forward," the source said.

"Apart from the one offer from Chelsea, there have been no further bids from anyone."

Modric signed three years ago after helping Croatia reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

He has developed into one of the most sought-after stars in the Premier League, with Chelsea wanting him to add creativity and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson viewing him as a potential replacement for Paul Scholes.

— Daily Mail