Our Luk’s going to run out — Rafa

Posted Tuesday, July 05, 2011 by thesun.co.uk

Our Luk’s going to run out — Rafa
PLAYER POWER ... Van der Vaart reckons Luka Modric will have the final say

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART reckons player power could force Tottenham to cave in and cash in on Luka Modric.

The Croatian playmaker has publicly declared he wants out despite signing a SIX-YEAR contract just two months ago.

Spurs have snubbed a £22million offer from Chelsea and insist the midfielder is not for sale. But team-mate Van der Vaart believes there is no way back once a player shows his hand.

The Dutchman said: "If someone wants to leave it's difficult to keep them. When a player is unhappy it's not a good thing."

Flogging Modric is likely to spark a rush for the door at Tottenham, with £80m-rated winger Gareth Bale believed to be watching the situation closely.

Missing out on the Champions League last season is now starting to hit home in the dressing room. Tottenham finished fifth last season and will compete in the much-maligned Europa League instead.

Van der Vaart added: "Luka and Bale don't play for money - they play to win something. If they have to go to another club it's their decision. But I hope they stay because they are fantastic and really important for the club."

Tottenham's stars reported back for pre-season training yesterday with chairman Daniel Levy adamant Modric will not be sold despite the flexing of Chelsea's financial muscle.

England Under-21 stars Danny Rose and Kyle Walker have signed contract extensions with Spurs until 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Rose, 21, burst on to the scene with a spectacular strike in Spurs' north London derby victory over Arsenal in April 2010 and went on to play 17 times on loan at Bristol City last season.

Walker, also 21, impressed during loan spells with npower Championship winners QPR and Aston Villa last term.

Cameroon left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain - but says he is happy to stay at Spurs.

He said: "I don't want a move just to see another club. If I have a good feeling with my chairman I'll stay and I don't have any reason to move."