Stalemate over Modric price

Real Madrid have reached a stalemate in their negotiations with Tottenham over the valuation of wantaway midfielder Luka Modric

Luka Modric

Los Merengues have been in pursuit of the Croatia international for much of the off-season, but Spurs have held firm on their £40million asking price as they fight to keep hold of their star player.

Modric is still contracted to the north London outfit for another four years, but has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu even though former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who failed with a £40m bid for the 26-year-old 12 months ago, has taken over the reins at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas has made it clear the little playmaker is a major part of his plans at the Premier League club, but Modric wants out after they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, despite finishing fourth at the end of last season due to the Blue having won the final.

According to the Daily Mail, Real saw their latest offer of £38m rejected for Modric earlier this week as Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy continues to play hardball with the La Liga champions, who have now called a halt to proceedings as they refuse to meet his price.

The Spanish giants have grown increasingly frustrated as the transfer saga draws on and they could now look to alternative targets, with Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder tipped to make a return to his former club.