Evening ddd

Even if Luka left and his sale brought in, say £35 million, the chance of landing 'top notch' targets wouldn't dramatically increase in my opinion. Few reasons, the strict wage structure would still be in place. The sale of Luka itself could lessen the appeal of coming to WHL for big stars.

Also everybody in the market would be fully aware that Spurs have the proceeds of Luka's sale to play with which would probably lead to a hike in price of our targets.

Imo its vital to hold onto a top class player in his prime. There is nothing positive to be gained from selling Luka Modric, unless an incredible offer of over £40m+ is tabled, with all sorts of perks to go with it.

Shift any or most of this lot to raise the £40 m instead: Jenas, Hutton, Corluka, Kranjcar, Defoe, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Keane, Dos Santos etc etc

I don't think the love affair is over by the way. Harry still loves Modric and has been sympathetic towards his needs for top level football in the interviews.

I don't think the love affair is over by the way.

It is for me but I'd be a stubborn git that way

Still dont want to lose him though, dont think we could attract a player of his calibre at the moment.

Nikamodcar - Well we wouldn't necessarily have to announce that we'd trousered £30-£40m but, safe in the knowledge that we will, we could then press the go button on at least one expensive striker £20-£25m. I have a feeling we won't be going completely silly though as we still, as you say, won't be able to compete wages-wise for some of the names bandied about.

Personally I hope we keep Luka. He's very important to how we play but if we can rake in that extra cash it might be worth it. He'd be difficult to replace but nothing lasts forever - especiallly in football. Look at Tevez wanting to leave City (again) although for entirely different reasons it seems. Who knows? Luka moving on might give Niko a new lease of Spurs life?

So you think the apparent love affair is with Modric rather than his countrymen? I think that was always a bit false to be honest. They jusr happened to be Croats and decent players that Harry inherited or had worked with.

messiah - You've fallen out of with Luka already on the basis of him apparently asking for a move? He hasn't tabled a transfer request (yet - the week is young!). If he does want to go though is there any going back for him. the club and the fans?

The 'shine' has gone off him for me ddd thats all. Top player though

I think if we were to lose him I'd dread to think who Harry would have in mind to replace the lad

messiah - You'd be happy seeing him play for us provided he puts in the same effort as before? No reason to suggest he'd give any less than 100% I suppose but if we're midtable (hope not of course!) in late December I wonder. Then we might lose him mid-season with even less chance of replacing.

I'd like to think he'd still give us 100% anyhow mate. I just dont believe we'd attract anyone as good with our limitations right now. No CL, wage cap etc.

I think we need him to have a chance of getting CL football again, hes that good imo anyway

messiah - Well hopefully Levy persuades him to forget the blue side and give us at least another complete season. But it does make me when players say that and then move on as if it wasn't their fault in any way. Maybe if he'd banged in half a dozen more goals we'd be in the CL again. Very disrespectful to their fellow pros too as its saying it was their fault and they're not good enough for him either.

I think the love affair is pretty genuine ddd, i like to think so at least. They are all top lads who worked hard to be where they are. I doubt any of them were millionaires at 18/19 playing for Dinamo Zagreb, maybe Niko was due to his fathers stature. They are grafters and Harry appreciates these type of players.

I just think if we can exclude money from the argument, i know its impossible in football, that the principle of not selling your best players is paramount if you want to make any progress.

Just because a player is expensive is no guarantee that they will succeed. If Luka goes the players replacing him would have a big gap to fill, and for all we know they could turn out into expensive mistakes like Bentley.

and for all we know they could turn out into expensive mistakes like Bentley.
------------------------------------------------------
Right that settles it! Luka is going nowhere. Levy needs to secure him in his secret basement room where he keeps his army of financial ninjas!

If Modric goes no doubt we will see Joe Cole at the lane.
The thought of that turns my stomach.

I'd want us to reject all offers this summer and have a crack at getting back into the CL again. Failing that then see what offers come in next season. We're better than Liverpool and Arsenal maybe aren't quite as strong as they were 2 or 3 seasons ago so there is every chance of qualifying again as long as we sign a striker or Pav is given a proper run in the team as he seems to be the only one who knows how to put the ball in the net!

So it does seem we're only really worried about Modric (who Harry does seemingly rate extremely highly). All that means to me is we'd insist on getting our full whack for him. Everyone has their price.

Personally I'd miss Corluka and Niko too. They both brings good things to team (given the chance).