Modric updates

Harry Redknapp has urged Tottenham Hotspur to show Luka Modric that he can realise his ambitions with the north London club.

The 25-year-old Croatia midfielder has said he wants to leave White Hart Lane, and will have upset supporters by announcing Chelsea as his preferred destination.

The Spurs manager now wants the club to bolster their own squad and prove to Modric he does not need to join "a bigger club" to win trophies. The chairman, Daniel Levy, responded on Saturday by instructing Chelsea to drop their pursuit of the player, insisting he was not for sale "at any price" to any club.

Redknapp said on Sunday: "I think we have to show him [Modric] our ambition, which we will do. If we can add one or two good players to our squad there's no reason we can't have another great season.

"So Tottenham could be a great club for him to stay with for the next few years. That's what we're hoping for."

Modric's comments came days after Tottenham rejected a £22m offer from Chelsea ? a bid ridiculed by Redknapp ? and the manager confirmed on Sunday that other clubs had also expressed interest.

"Chelsea are not the only club that have been in for him," he said. "There have been other clubs ? top, top clubs.

"But if Tottenham are looking to go anywhere we can't be selling Luka. We have to do something to keep him at the club.

"We can't afford to sell Luka Modric if we want to be a successful club."

He added: "He's a fantastic lad. You'll never meet a better lad than Luka. I suppose he's seen a massive contract and the chance to win the Premier League and play in the Champions League and that's what he wanted.

"But we want that as well. We want to get back in the Champions League and we need him to help us do that.

"If Daniel's saying 'no' he really can't be seen to be going back on that now. He's made a very strong statement. I wouldn't see Daniel backtracking on that at any price."

Modric has reportedly also attracted interest from Manchester City and Manchester United, but Chelsea would appear to be the player's preferred destination as he would like to remain in London.

Redknapp admitted the offer from Chelsea had been difficult to comprehend given they are still without a manager after the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti last month.

"It is very, very strange and difficult to understand," he said. "But this has been going on for quite a while, not just this week. It's been going on for the last three or four weeks, since Carlo Ancelotti lost his job. Somebody else at Chelsea is choosing the players ? not the new manager."

Jermain Defoe has also been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane, with some suggestions of a shock switch to rivals Arsenal. "I didn't see that," Redknapp. "I couldn't see that one happening."

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Chelsea, who have had a £22m bid for the Croatian turned down.

BBC Sport understands that the 25-year-old could meet Levy as early as Wednesday evening.

Modric recently hinted he would welcome a move to Chelsea, but Levy responded by insisting he was "not for sale".

Tottenham are expecting to receive a 'final' offer in excess of £30 million from Chelsea for Luka Modric, after it emerged that the midfielder is set to hand in a formal transfer request.

Modric is expected to officially notify Spurs of his desire to leave White Hart Lane after the north London club rejected a second bid worth £27m for the playmaker.

looks like we're going to seal the deal!