£1 Billion for Modric

Well it doesn't look like Luka Modric will be packing his bags, moving away from Tottenham and heading up North to Manchester or staying in the area and joining Chelsea. Not unless United or Chelsea, the two clubs linked with the Croatian midfielder are prepared to pay £1 billion for him.

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager has led this Spurs side to a Champions League quarter final, beating one of the most successful European teams in AC Milan on the way. Luka Modric played a vital part in both helping Tottenham into the top four last season and their brilliant, over achieving success of reaching the latter stages of the prestigious European competition this year. The Tottenham manager emphasised the invaluable qualities that the 25 year-old holds in the side with a rather exaggerated expected transfer fee:

"I wouldn't want to sell him for £100 million, not even for a billion.

"He's the hub of the team."

He made his point. Of course, Redknapp would sell Modric for £1 billion - not that anyone - not even Manchester City would pay that ludicrous amount. But it is a clear statement that Modric is not for sale, and if an offer were to come in, it would have to be quite a substantial amount.

Modric only signed a long term contract at Spurs last year, and the players' representative, Mario Mamic reiterated Redknapps sentiments:

"These are just rumours. Luka has a contract until 2016 and Tottenham have no plans to sell him. He has an excellent relationship with coach [Harry] Redknapp and only signed a contract extension with Spurs last summer."

The rumours that Mamic spoke of refer to apparent interest from several English clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea as well as Italian side Juventus and Inter Milan. Certainly, Modric has his fans; he is a fantastic player and has been described by the former Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins as one of the best midfielder's in the Premier League. Gerard Houllier, the current Aston Villa manager also heaped praise on Modric:

"Not only is he a very hard worker, he has a good brain and he provided some calmness and composure to the midfield. His passing was neat and his contribution was outstanding. He was not only winning the ball, he was passing well. We thought that he was very influential. He did not just work hard, he made the other people play well around him."

 He may not be worth £100 million or £1 billion, but Luka Modric is certainly a fantastic asset to Tottenham, and understandably has the best teams in the world watching him.

Tottenham get the Job Done against AC Milan

Tottenham have done one better than their local rivals tonight with a winning draw against AC Milan, which saw the London side hold on to their first leg lead to progress to the quarter finals.

It wasn't the most eventful of games, with a William Gallas goal line clearance being the biggest save whilst the main controversy being Mathieu Flamini's continued aggressive tackles from the San Siro. In comparison with Arsenal's controversial, action packed clash at the Nou Camp yesterday, this game was more of a competitive kick around.

I thought there would be more attacking from both sides, however Milan were predominant in attack but were not being able to create any chances of real merit, apart from a few ambitious shots from Pato and Robinho. Zlatan Ibrahimovich whose biggest fan is himself, mustered a powerful freekick which needed a good save from Gomes in the Tottenham goal.

Spurs didn't take full advantage of their wing play which has been good to them in the previous European rounds - most notably against Inter with Bale. Lennon didn't have many opportunities to stretch his little legs in a super sprint, and was restricted to a few impressive crosses up to the towering Crouch who seemed intent on heading it down to van der Vaart. After one particularly good cross from Lennon, Crouch, who was only about 8 yards out and at not a particularly tight angle, hit it back where it came, hoping for an on runner to strike it in rather than going for goal himself.

The pressure that Spurs were under was nothing in comparison to Barcelona's relentless attacking of the Gunners yesterday, and so they coped with it well. Milan were pretty poor for a team who had to score a goal in truth, never looking threatening.

So Tottenham progress to the final eight, and Redknapp becomes the first English manger to take a team to this stage - which was quite surprising but quite an achievement. They will most probably hope to avoid Barcelona in the next round, although will surely love the opportunity to have a go at them, and perhaps get yet another one over on Arsenal who were quite harshly described yesterday by one Spanish journalist:

“This Arsenal is a losing team, they lack grandeur, ambition and talent, there’s only one Barça and are no imitations are accepted.”

Tottenham will not be wanting that sort of description.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Man Utd: 9 men & Vidic Keep out Spurs

Tottenham huffed and puffed against Manchester United, but were unable to blow the mighty Vidic's defence down as the Red Devils just about made sure that their unbeaten run continues for another week. It was defence against attack as the midfield of Tottenham really controlled most of the play with Luka Modric spraying the ball around to his team mates in search of the killer pass, but it was just out of reach, largely due to the magnificent defence of United.

The two wide players for Tottenham, Bale and Lennon, who were expected to be the difference between the two sides didn't have the best of games, and were unable to make much of an impact. Only a couple of their crosses managed to find a Tottenham players waiting head, but no finish could be found. That was the problem for Tottenham really, they had most of the offensive possession, but just couldn't slice open the organised solidity of the defence, even when United went a man down.

Rafael da Silva was sent off in the 74th minute for a second "bookable" offence. I say "bookable" in inverted commas because the decision to give him that second yellow was, although seemingly inevitable, questionable. When the Brazilian defender picked up his first yellow card early on, I had a strong feeling that with his passion, commitment and refusal to back out of any tackle, the likely possibility was that he would get another. He did, but it wasn't from a malicious, dangerous or cynical tackle - it was a clip on the back of Assou-Ekkoto's heel as hey both ran for the ball. It was obvious that it was an accident - even the sometimes naive Rafael wouldn't have been stupid enough to purposely trip the opponent on a yellow card - but the referee, Mike Dean was his usual, unsympathetic or understanding self and harshly brandished the red.

As it happened, Bale wasn't able to exploit the left wing in the absence of Rafael, and the game ended with United on the attack - despite being under pressure from Tottenham ever since the dismissal.

Overall, United's play was pretty poor. It was clear they wanted to win, and definitely could have won, but the passing was bad. The final ball was disappointing. The attacking was almost non existent apart from a couple of good attacks which led to a few chances, but not as much as United would have liked. Perhaps the only real positive to be taken was the outstanding performance from the defenders, ad come to think of it, the togetherness of the team when they went a man down.

While earlier in the season United may have conceded a clumsy goal late on, they were resilient tonight, as the best centre back partnership in the League, Ferdinand and Vidic proved their worth to the United team with some invaluable tackles, headers away and clearance.

Manchester United go back to top spot, ahead of Manchester rivals City on goal difference while Tottenham move to within a point of fourth place Chelsea. It was, in the end, another clash of two strong teams that was, although entertaining, over hyped.

Tottenham v Man Utd - Will the Unbeaten Run Be Broken?

Tottenham will take on Manchester United on Sunday in a bid to jump above Chelsea and go fourth in the table whilst breaking United's 25 game unbeaten run. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four home matches in the league against big four opposition, but will they be able to defeat the League leaders who beat them in a controversial 2 - 0 win earlier this season? They will certainly be looking for revenge.

Tottenham fancy themselves too, and probably with good reason. United have not been playing their best football, especially away from home - recording only two away wins in the last nine away games. Their home form and lack of losses is what is keeping them top. However, the away form must improve, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that the improvement will start with a convincing win at Tottenham.

The Spurs manager said:

"I couldn't see them remaining unbeaten. It's not impossible but I don't see them doing that. I don't see that they are on another planet to the other teams. They are favourites to win the league but not to go unbeaten."

"They haven't hit the heights this year, but they keep winning games and they haven't been beaten. We are playing well. We are a better team than played United last year. We have got every chance. We are at home. We will give them a real game."

The matches between these two team are often littered with controversial moments and often prove to be brilliant entertainment, as both sides love to attack and believe they can win. Tottenham and England defender Michael Dawson will be doing his best to prevent the United attack grabbing a winning goal on Sunday, and he also believes that his teammates are good enough to defeat United:

"Yes they're on a good run and are top of the form table for a reason. But, hopefully, on Sunday we can be the first team to beat them. We want to win things and that means the title. We want to be contenders year after year. And to do that you have to beat the likes of United."

He will be up against a particularly experienced attacker in Ryan Giggs. The Welsh veteran may not have the speed to get around as many players as he could when his sparkling career began, but he can still influence his teammates with his hardworking culture and natural skill. An appearance for Giggs will take his appearance count reach a massive 600 - only 6 appearances away from fellow United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. He is now 37, but his career glides on, and last week played the whole 90 minutes, which impressed his manager:

"His [Ryan Giggs's] fitness was fantastic last week, he was going for the whole 90 minutes up and down the pitch, and he's been doing that for two decades... There is no other player that's ever done that or ever likely to do that... He's quite an amazing man"

His old team mate, David Beckham will not be making an appearance however. He has been training with Tottenham, but a signing has not been completed and doesn't look as if it will be, so none of his trademark crosses will be dropping into the United box onto the head of Peter Crouch, or Spurs' top scorer this season, Rafael van der vaart. The Dutchman has scored 9 league goals, and will be a big threat to United's back line which may contain fellow countryman Edwin van dar sar and Nemanja Vidic after returning from injuries.

Gareth Bale will be threatening the young Rafael on the left wing, which should prove a tough test for the Brazilian who has started to play a lot more for United as Gary Neville eases out of the United team, looking set for retirement. Rooney could be back for the Red Devils, so there will be no lack of attacking football from both sides.

With Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea already recording wins this week-end, both teams need the win. Tottenham have the home crowds support and the motivation of breaking the 6th longest unbeaten run in Premier League history, while United will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, and keep that brilliant run going.

I'm looking forward to it.

L.A Galaxy Agree to Beckham Tottenham Loan

It looks as if David Beckham will definitely be returning to England to play for Tottenham, as L.A Galaxy have agreed to let him leave on loan. A Tottenham spokesperson confirmed: "LA Galaxy say they will loan."

Tottenham have always been the favourites to sign Beckham - and not only because they are the biggest club to have shown an interest. The presence of Philip Anschutz, the L.A Galaxy owner has most probably been the biggest factor in the MLS sides preference to let Beckham leave for Tottenham too; his company, 'The Anschutz Entertainment Group' are in partnership with Tottenham over plans to take over the Olympic Stadium, and it is thought, he has had the final say in Beckhams short term future.

There had been some anger in America that Beckham was seeking to leave the MLS on loan again, as he has no World cup to "prepare for" and his chances of gaining his spot in the England team are now quite slim. Some critics of the move have said that Beckham is being disloyal to Galaxy, and he isn't paying the club enough respect, while others claimed it was all just about grabbing headlines and making money. The Tottenham manager said on the week end:

 "One thing is for sure - David is not coming here for the money. He is a multi-millionaire. He just wants to play football and that tells you everything you need to know about him."

Quite right.

Beckham and his wife have also had their sons enrolled in a private school in England, confirming that the move to Tottenham will go ahead, as the family prepares for life back home.

Beckham is likely to join his new Tottenham team-mates in the next few days - meaning he will have settled back in England by the time Spurs play the midfielders former club, Manchester United on the 16th January.

Giovani dos Santos to Leave Tottenham for Liverpool?

Since joining Tottenham from Barcelona in 2008, Giovani dos Santos has never really had a fair run in the team. He has talent, he has the ability, but he doesn't get the game time at White Hart Lane, and with Tottenham's recent surge to success in the Champions League as wel as at home inthe Premier League, it seems as if a first team place will start to become even more unlikely for the tricky Mexican.

The 21-year-old had a good World Cup, playing his part, alongside Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, in helping Mexico through their group stage; beating France in the process. He was even nominated for the FIFA young player of the tournament award, which eventually went to German striker Thomas Muller. But on his return to Tottenham, he found that Rafael van der Vaart had been bought, and his place in the team was all but gone.

The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp pointed out the former Barcelona man's main weakness:

"If he could pass a nightclub as well as he can pass a ball, he would be all right."

And although admitting that dos Santos has "bags of ability and fantastic skill", his dedication to the Tottenham cause was questionable.


Dos Santos is now being linked to a number of clubs in terms of destinations for a possible transfer, with Liverpool being among the names. He would provide good width to the Liverpool side, as well as his trickery and creativity - things that Liverpool need a big injection of if they are to climb back up to their perch with Roy Hodgson. At his young age of 21, dos Santos has plenty of time to improve his game, or his dedication to football, as Redknapp pointed out, and the fee shouldn't be too high since he hasn't exactly had a chance to showcase his talents at Tottenham.

The youngster has been labelled as a "flop" by some, but with only 10 League appearances under his belt, it really can't be judged whether the signing was a failure. He hasn't had a chance to show what he can really do at Tottenham, but with Liverpool, and their depleted squad, a little bit of Mexican skill and passion would be welcomed with relief to the injury ridden squad.
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Redknapp Rules out Benzema Move but Players Must be Sold

A January transfer move for Karim Benzema has been ruled out by Harry Redknapp, while he also said that he will have to sell some of his players in order to purchase any improvements for his squad.

When asked about a possible move for the Frenchman, Redknapp said:

“There’s nothing in that,"

"He’s a good player, I like him, he looks a real talent. But certainly we haven’t made any enquires at all for him. There’s definitely nothing going on there at the moment."

“Before we can bring anyone in, I’ve spoke with the chairman, we need to shift one or two.

"It’s going to be a case of the only way we can do any business would be to let one or two go and whatever we get in we can go and invest.”

He hasn't ruled a move completely; by saying there is "nothing going on there at the moment" he was hinting that a move for him could be a possibility - maybe in the summer. Redknapp knows that Benzema would be cup tied in the Champions League, having played for Real Madrid, and as a competition that Tottenham are aspiring to do well in, they need their big name players. Benzema would be one of them.

If Tottenham were to invest in a new striker in January, they would most probably look closer to home, at a lower Pemier League team. Andy Carroll of Newcastle has been tipped as a possibility.

As for these players that Redknapp will have to let go, and Croatian play maker Niko Kranjcar has been rumoured to want out of White Hart Lane, seeking first team football. Liverpool were rumoured to be interestd for £7 million, while Italians Juventus are also interested.

After guiding his team to an inspired comeback against rivals Arsenal at the week end, Harry Redknapp is leading Tottenham in the right direction. He believes that his team can win the title this year, and the addition of top players that a Champions League team that they now are can attract, Tottenham are looking good for the future.

Arsenal 2 - 3 Tottenham - Redknapp: We can win the Title

Arsene Wenger watched his team throw away a two goal lead against arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates, and was it is fair to say he was absolutely furious - Pat Rice next to him must have been fearing for his own safety as Wenger threw a bottle to the floor in a passionate show of rage.

Arsenal dominated the first half with an early nine minute goal from Nasri as he went round Gomes and from a tight angle slipped the ball in the net. Chamakh then doubled the lead with his ninth goal of the season after a cute cross from Arshavin on the left.

Harry Redknapp sent on Jermain Defoe on at half time in the hope that the game would swing on its head. It did.

A long ball played forward was met with Jermaine Defoe - beating an Arsenal defender in the air, with van der vaart running on to it. Bale made a run down the middle just to the right of van der vaart, and there was no doubt that the Dutchman would find him. Bale duly and expertly slotted the ball passed a diving Fabianski to set up the Tottenham comeback.

A free kick was awarded to Tottenham just passed he 65th minute, and as van der vaart struck the ball, two players in the wall raised their arms above their heads. These players were both Fabregas and Chamakh, and thought that protecting their faces took priority over the risk of giving away a penalty. Phil Dowd the referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot, and who else but the trusty Dutchman van der vaart coolly sent Faianski the wrong way to slot the ball home for the equaliser.

It was all level, and Tottenham were in the ascendancy. Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny then had the opportunity to knock Totenham down from their high with a glorious chance to score from a great cross. He wasn't stretching for the ball, he was unmarked, and he was about 5 yards out with virtually the whole goal the aim for. But he is a defender. And he headed over.

In the 84th minute, Gareth Bale - the man who never seems to stop running, bursted down the right, and as the ball was fed to him, he was inevitably brought down by Koscielny. Van der vaart took the subsequent free kick, and Younes Kaboul got a minimal touch as it bounced passed Fabianski to win the game for Tottenham.

As the 4th official raised the board in the 90th minute to show five minuets of added time, the Arsenal fans, with no real belief on their faces, weakly encouraged the players to fight for an equaliser. The fans belief seemed to be mirrored by the players - mounting no real chances again, and trudged off at the end of the match knowing that they had blown the chance to go top.

Harry Redknapp said at the end of the game:

"We can beat anybody and this win today has put us right back in the race again. It is wide open.

"We can achieve anything. We have to believe. It is not impossible to win the title. Let's see how we go."

If Tottenham continue to play with this resilience and fight, not forgetting their obvious quality, this kind of result will become far more common.

Before handing the man of the match award to Bale van der vaart said:

"It's a great day for the club."

This is something that Tottenham fans will get used to hearing.

Gareth Bale is Priceless for Tottenham

After annihilating the European Champions' right back, Maicon, described as one of the best defenders in the world, Gareth Bale has been the topic of many a conversation today.

The Tottenham winger was in astonishing form, and showed his extraordinary fitness levels, when, in the 89th minute, after running and running for the whole game, bolted forward, past the Inter defence to assist his teammate with a tap in, and Tottenham's third to seal the game. And, after gathering admirers from all over the world, in giants of football clubs, and experienced football experts, Bale was more or less labelled as a priceless player by the man who helped turn him into the star that he is today, the Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

When asked about the possibility of a top club bidding in the region of £25 - £30 million for the Welsh winger, Redknapp assured the Tottenham fans by saying:

"They wouldn't buy him for that, that's for sure,

"If he had a value, if we wanted to sell him, his value would be way in excess of that sort of figure.

"He really is an amazing young player. We wouldn't even entertain a bid. The chairman has said he's not for sale and that's good enough."

Instead, Redknapp wants to build a club, who he knows is improving day by day, with committed owners, quality players and quality facilities.

"We don't want to sell him and we're looking to build a team at Tottenham. We're a club that's going places - we've got a new training ground coming, change of stadium, the whole thing is going forward.

Gareth Bale, a man who went through a period early in his Tottenham career, in which whenever he was in the team, the team lost, has turned into a player that Tottenham cannot do without. He is worth, to Harry Redknapp and Tottenham over £50 million, and has almost single handed, demolished the European Champions' defence.

Bale summed the game up nicely, as he has seen his career and reputation change rapidly over the last few years:

"It was great, it was special beating the European champions. It will be a night that will never be forgotten."