CHELSEA last night stunned Tottenham with a £22million bid for Luka Modric - and are ready to go to £25m.
Spurs quickly rejected the Blues' opening salvo.
But Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be sorely tested today when Roman Abramovich increases his offer.
Blues owner Abramovich wants to blow Manchester United, who are also chasing the 25-year-old, out of the water in the battle for Spurs' prize asset - as we told you in Tuesday's SunSport.
It looks almost certain that Modric, who cost £16.5m from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008, will now leave White Hart Lane and that Chelsea are favourites to sign him.
Insiders say he wants to stay in London after playing 120 games and scoring 12 goals in three seasons at Spurs.
Abramovich sees Modric as the key to next season's bid to lift the Champions League.
And so determined is he to grab his man that he will outbid United if the Premier League champions decide to go head-to-head with him.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has always insisted Modric will stay at Spurs and that his worth is way in excess of £25m.
But Abramovich is determined to press ahead with his first signing of the close season despite the fact he is yet to appoint a replacement for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Chelsea's formal bid was rejected by Spurs within two hours but Abramovich is desperate to add more creativity to Chelsea's midfield.
He also wants to reduce the average age of the club's squad and Modric's extra flair and pace have established him as the Blues' No 1 target.
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan