Luka Modric fined for failing to turn up for Tottenham's tour of US

• Midfielder also missed training last week
• Croatian wants to move to Real Madrid

by David Hytner 10 months ago

Luka Modric will be fined for his refusal to train and tour with Tottenham Hotspur, as his desire to leave the club turns ugly for the second summer in succession. The Croatia midfielder, who has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, did not report for training last Friday and he further disobeyed club orders when he did not turn up for Saturday's flight to Los Angeles, where Tottenham have begun their United States tour.

His actions have dismayed the manager, André Villas-Boas, and the club's hierarchy, and Modric is set to be fined the maximum of two weeks' wages, a sum of £80,000. The 26-year-old, who signed a six-year contract at White Hart Lane in 2010, submitted a transfer request last summer in an unsuccessful attempt to force a move to Chelsea.

The chairman, Daniel Levy, made it clear that Modric was not for sale under any circumstances but this time the stance has softened. Levy will sell to Madrid if they bid close to £40m. So far, they have offered a package that would be worth £31m if the add-ons are realised.

Levy will dig in his heels until Madrid get close to his asking price and, if they fall short, he will simply demand that Modric refocuses and gives his all for Tottenham, as he did after last summer's transfer window had closed. To Levy, what amounts to strike action from the player changes nothing in terms of the club's position.

Tottenham continue to expect Modric to report to their training ground while they are in the United States, where they play friendlies against Los Angeles Galaxy, Liverpool and New York Red Bulls.