Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insists Luka Modric will not be sold

Carling Cup -Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal, Daniel Levy (Getty Images)

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has issued a statement insisting he will not entertain any offers for key players this summer after rejecting a bid from Chelsea for Luka Modric.

Modric has expressed a desire to join Tottenham’s London rivals Chelsea as he wants to play Champions League football next season, but he could see his wishes dashed as Levy is determined to hold on to him.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear, as I have said previously, that none of our key players will be sold this summer,” Levy told the club’s official website.

“We are building a team for the future to consistently play at the highest level and retaining quality players is crucial to that.

“In respect of Luka Modric, we are not prepared to sell, at any price, to Chelsea Football Club or any other club.

“We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, with any Club, regarding Luka.

“We now consider this matter closed.”

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will return with another bid after seeing their opening offer of £22 million branded as ‘ridiculous’ by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

Modric has previously stated his desire to leave for Chelsea but says he has no plans to upset the Spurs fans by handing in a transfer request.

“I would like to go to Chelsea,” he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport, but wants to leave Spurs “as friends”.