Modric on the brink

Andre Villas-Boas insists the Luka Modric transfer saga will not disrupt preparations for his first match in charge of Tottenham this weekend.

Real Madrid are closing in on the signature of Modric after Villas-Boas revealed that talks with the Spanish champions regarding a deal for the playmaker are progressing well.

The latest offer for the Croatia midfielder to be turned down by Spurs was for £38million, comprising £30m in cash with the remainder in add-ons over the length of Modric’s contract.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been adamant he will not accept less than £40m and is also unhappy with the percentage of the money Jose Mourinho’s Spanish champions are proposing to pay in add-ons.

But Real have told Tottenham officials they are now willing to increase the cash portion of the fee to around £34m — and are confident the deal can be concluded by the weekend.

Read on here about Modric’s impending move to Madrid.