Juan Mata signing should kill off Chelsea's interest in Luka Modric - Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp
The Spurs boss has revealed the Valencia star was a strong target this summer and insists a new contract will be offered to his Croatian midfielder
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Chelsea's move for Juan Mata is likely to kill off their interest in Luka Modric.
Valencia confirmed on Sunday evening that a deal 'in principle' had been reached with Andre Villas-Boas' side, with only a medical now standing in the way of the 23-year-old's switch to Stamford Bridge.
So far, Chelsea have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Modric and Redknapp feels that the arrival of the Valencia midfielder should prevent any further interest in the Croatian.
“Chelsea have signed him?” Redknapp told Talksport.
“I didn’t know that. Well, I would think that’s the end of the Modric deal then, surely. I would [think the Mata deal has killed the Modric move]. I had no idea about that."
Redknapp revealed Tottenham were also in the running to sign the Spain international and conceded the club's chairman, Daniel Levy, assured him a deal was going to be pushed through before the start of the new Premier League season.
“We tried to get [Mata] to be honest with you. We were in for him strong about three weeks ago," said Redknapp.
“I was driving back from the pre-season game with Brighton and the chairman said that he was confident he was going to sign the boy that night.
“He obviously turned it down but [the Chelsea move] has come out of the blue.”
Redknapp reiterated his no-sale stance regarding Modric and revealed Tottenham will be offering the 25-year-old a new deal to extend his stay at White Hart Lane.
“I think Daniel [Levy] has said he will sit down with Luka in a month or so and have a chat with him and a look at his contract," said Redknapp.
“I want to keep him for sure. I just felt that if he didn’t want to be here that much that maybe we might have to sell him. If people don’t want to play for you, you might have to sell him and go and get three or four players in.
“As a player I couldn’t be happier to keep Luka Modric, he’s a fantastic footballer and as I’ve said many times you couldn’t meet a nicer boy.”
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/21/2630303/juan-mata-signing-should-kill-off-chelseas-interest-in-luka
