Luka and ITK mathematics
Friday, June 8, 2012 at 11:43AM Luka Modric to Manchester United for £25M. That makes sense. It makes sense we were rejecting £40M bids from Chelsea last summer and would now take a hefty price cut on the valuation of the player so that we could make a divisional competitor even stronger on the cheap.
Does the player still want out? Probably. There's no denying it's about the wages more than anything, far more than Champions League itself (much like Redknapp alluded too the other day). Even if we finished 4th and got into Europe's elite competition, the player (and agent) would still look to orchestrate another attempted move. Why?
125k per week
Several million pounds for the agent via fee
That's two reasons.
Levy made his stand and his point last summer with the player and Chelsea/Dail Mail's attempts to sign him, retaining his services for the 2012 season. It's not rocket science to think he will appear to do the exact same thing this summer, but with one small detail of difference. If we do receive a bid that meets the players valuation, then we'll let him go. That's OUR valuation and not the Manchester United supporting tabloid journalist's valuation when attempting to broker the deal via back page hype, without source or quotes.
I'm not even sure what my point is now. Shouldn't really be expecting anything different from the 'news feeds', especially this time of year. What's wonderful about this particular Luka story is the matter of fact title 'Luka Modric to join Man Utd' and this gem of knowledge planted in the middle of the 'article':
The Croatian said he had no intention of quitting Spurs having signed a six-year deal in May 2010.
Had no intention? Back in 2010? What about last summer dickhead? Surely if you're going to make stuff up there's a time and place for it and stating the truth would actually fit in better with the agenda, on this particular occasion.
I can't see our chairman bending over for them, not with their past form (Carrick, Berbatov) and with the no-way stance of last summer. Okay, so we always bend over for them, but there's been so much control with our 'we won't be selling our best players' mantra over the past two seasons that...who am I kidding? Words are just words. Levy knows how to drag it out. Whatever happens will be because he wants it to happen and its conclusion will satisfy everyone.
So if they want our prize commodity (which will mean we have to change the way we play-make and shape up in midfield) then they need to compensate us for the detrimental impact it will have on us and the bitter reality that they will become stronger off the back of it.
I guess my point, the crux of it, is that these tabloid stories are always about appeasing the club attempting/chasing the signing rather than perhaps seeing a headline that states:
"Spurs tell Utd: £40M or forget about it"
Elsewhere?
I've layed off from ITK bashing for a while now as there is hardly any difference between them and the tabloids. I don't for a second think there are no people with connections (some strong, some tenuous) that might be privy to information. That never means said information can be trusted as there is only one certainty in football and that is the lies and game-playing agents/football clubs/players swim around in to get what they want. If you have info, share it if you wish to share it. Do so with transparency if you can (or not to protect yourself or the source). Sadly with Spurs we appear to have around 40 or so people that claim to have inside knowledge of what is going on and they all seem to hang around online, cryptically teasing us with non-events of tittle tattle in closed off membership forums.
Possibly the best thing I've seen that sums it all up is an ITK answering questions relating to whether we are interested in signing anyone to replace Luka if/when Luka is sold. His response:
Replacement(s)
Yes. We might have a replacement or more than one replacement lined up. But can't tell you anything more than that because I'd be giving it all away so I'll add an 's' in brackets to the back end of the word 'replacement' to leave it all ambiguous and mysterious, like I know something that you don't but I'll remain non-committal about it.
Do one.
Nobody is interested in whether you know something you can't share. If you can't share it don't go telling us you can't share it. It has no relevance in the public domain. You're better off making something up, which is what most people do 99% of the time.
I'm on my period, deal with it.
I miss the days of Teletext and Monday mornings at school where everyone would discuss the weekends football. I remember following Gascoigne's transfer to Spurs via the very same maligned tabloid back pages. You knew the player signed when the player actually signed. I miss those innocent days of the late 80s. That and skipping past white dog poo in the street.
Reader Comments (42)
Tottenham is like a circus at the moment.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is linked with Harry and his PR clan....
Have you not seen the "ITK"s new approach? Cryptically in the manner of Nostradamus. This leaves everything open to interpretation so they won't be wrong :-)
Whatever happened to white dog poo? Non PC nowadays I 'spose!!
You have misunderstood that qoute, probably becuase it wasn't phrased properly.
"The Croatian said he had no intention of quitting Spurs having signed a six-year deal in May 2010."
When signing the 6 year deal, in May 2010, the player stated he had no intention of leaving spurs feeling, at the time, he could fulfill his ambitions at the club.
We've offered Luka a new contract during the season and he didn't sign it. He also reported into international duty complaining of being overplayed during the season. He's not happy at spurs. Although I rate Modric quite highly, 40m would be fantastic business (I'd accept 30m from a club abroad). Get Cabaye from Newcastle for 20m and focus the rest on a striker. If Cabaye is not a possibility, there will be others in Modric's mould outside our division. Hell even Britton at Swansea has shown he can anchor a midfield. Not saying he's the answer but I am not one to believe Modric is unique in what he does.
Thankyou.. When it's done I'm interested. (By the way I hear we're buying Messi!!!)
Brilliant post. Totally agree and needing saying. 25mil, rising to 30mil? No thanks. Come back with 40mil~ offers and we should listen- and invest the money wisely. My only hope is this will not effect Bale/VDV's decisions to stay with us... Maybe Livermore can step up now - hes shown some good quality's, but not yet on the same stage as Super-Luka :( ..... oh the frustrations of being a spurs supporter at transfer time! COYS
Mr Levy made a statement in May where he said that 'The best players would be retained'. Why should I or any of us for that matter beleice a Murdoch Rag over Daniel Levy. End Off.
Alan - I know, I get the quote. It was relevant in 2010. It seems like it's been dumped in an article which should be highlighting the reasons why he wants out.
Also - I agree, plenty of options. Although on the face of it is will seem detrimental to lose him, we can quite easily adapt our style. Well, in theory. What Harry does is altogether a different thing.
It's worse than a bloody circus.
It's going to happen so we need to move on. I'd rather we lost Luka than Gareth Bale. What we can't afford to do is to lose both ..... Personally i don't think Luka gives us 100% & can do much, much more. His goal tally isn't good enough & he must take some of the respondsibility for losing 3rd place last time out. Can't see him as a like-for-like repalcement for Scholes either but that won't be our problem.
I've always been of the opinion that if someone doesn't want to play for my club (& Modric doesn't) then get rid. It doesn't matter how good they are, there is always someone to replace them. Won't be an identical replacement but hopefully it'll be somone prepared to put in a shift.
40mil won't be on the table this time round but 25 is too low so DL will drag it out until the very last knockings to test old red nose.
I actually think Modric is more interested in being at an ambitious club then earning more money then he does. I know few will agree but he is actually a loyal player who's main objective is to be all he can be. He signed a long term deal with Dinamo when the big clubs came calling for him (us included) just so that he could leave the club leaving something behind. And he did the same for us, just this time Levy said no deal. So him signing long term deals is just as much as player security (they still get paid if they are injured) as him wanting to leave his former club on good terms. I guess a player who want to be all he can be have learnt all he can learn from a manager like Redknapp and when Chelsea last season tapped him up telling him how he would become a key player for them when they rebuilt, that they had a new young manager with loads of ideas on how to improve him and the team I guess he was very tempted by that. That he would also triple his wages no doubt played a key role to but not the main factor.
Levy have offered him a new contract with a pay rise, Modric have said so him self, so if it was all about money he would have signed it already.
I do think there is a hugh difference between Britton, Cabaye and Modric. Modric is one or two level above these players. He aint flashy, he does not score much but he makes players around him better and keep the passing flow going. That´s why he is worth so much for us and every one else aiming for the top, he certainly is worth more the £25m.
Could he become happy at Spurs again? Yes, and for the same reasons we fans would become happy by Levy showing ambition in the transfer market and also by replacing Redknapp with a football manager.
Why isn't there any white dog poo now? Dogs are still dogs and I've had dogs for fourty years and never any white dog poo. We used to rollerskate round it......................I know, I know I'm old.
One Croatian gone, only two to go..........................and I'm not ITK.
Another brilliant article. I wrote a similar comment on the Daily Mail £22m fee story. That is all. @diamondx1982
Unfortunately we all salivate a la Pavlov as soon as anything is written about Modric, Bale or anyone else. The press is rubbish, they know it and we all know it. Follow the Levenson inquiry, it just raises the lid on a cess-pit for a brief glimpse of how the media operates. Their coverage of soccer is no different to their coverage of the private lives of celebrities. As to Modric he may well go but it is unlikely anything will happen until the Euros are finished
I agree about Harry, Spooky. A manager who trains a TEAM will rely less heavily on individuals than Harry who asks players to merely express themselves.
It's difficult to be overly critical of Harry given he was just one point off achieving a very impressive finish but if a manager can achieve 4th with such little emphasis on planning than could you imagine what someone could achieve if they merely implemented a bit more structure to the team? We don't need another Ramos but is it that hard to find a manager who can rotate a little, practice set plays whilst having the ability to put an arm around a player's shoulder in there time of need?
My vote is David Moyes but he won't be easy to get out of Everton. I think he looks at Everton as equals to ourselves and will only leave if someone like United come in. Just my theory.
Hey, Spurs-ites, fret yee not, it's not going to happen. We are all about picking up emerging talents on the cheap these days, Kagawa at £15m is about the limit. We've been linked with an 18 year old Chilean striker for £3m as well, which is far more believable - another Hernandez type of deal.
Just red-top garbage, it'll be something else tomorrow, once this article from The Sun (!) is wrapped around some chips!
my thoughts exactly.A crap story from the Sun based on no facts whatsoever,then reguritated through Newsnow as "fact" by the Metro and Daily Mail for ladies.
Levy stood firm at 40mill and Modric was at times outstanding last season so his value has hardly dropped.Why sell to our rivals for Champions League,we arent in the same place as when Berbatov and Carrick were sold,we are looking to strengthen rather than weaken the team.
Shame about Nico though .
oh ,and you arent allowed to say "white dog poo" these days its either just POO or Bendtner both are equally acceptable
I would rather keep him, unless a player is brought in frst, we should hold out for City to come in for him, thats where I suspect he is really going to and will be part of Ade and Johnson coming to the lane, City are the only club with the sort of finance to buy Luka Modric.
If he stays and see's out his contract and goes for free in 2016 it will be fantastic business for the club, £16m for 8 years service on low wages!!!!!:)
One things for sure, if he is allowed to go we can forget CL for a few seasons, hes worth a fortune because hes tried and tested in the Premier league.
I agree with MartyMUFC BTW. Luka would cost someone 30-40m in transfer fees and another 30m in wages (120k across 5 years). By the end of his contract he'll be in his thirties and will offer little re-sale value. A club like UTD do not operate this way. They made an exception with Berba and feel they got burnt.
Luka's only chance of leaving WHL is for a club who can afford to burn 60m on a player. Chelsea and City are the only ones in the prem and PSG in france and Real and Malaga in Spain. Chelsea have moved on and Malaga are perhaps too soon in their planning (although they got CL). I would say either PSG or City are likely destinations.
Sorry Real are a plausible option aswell. I'd love to take some of their fringe players off their hands. Noy Lass though!
White dog poo is still possible man, jus get yo ass down the butchers n buy him a marrow bone. White dog poo follows a short while later. C mon, do your bit n lets have all dog poos in nort london in spurs colours come august. Eh!?
Personally I doubt he will go this season, a lot depends on whether we gain a sponsor for the naming rights for the new stadium by next summer!
If we are going to build the new stadium then something will have to give, £40m towards it is a lot of lolly!
We also should save a good few million by not being a PLC, we haven't got the associated costs of running a PLC although we are ripe for a take over and this maybe Lewis and Levy's plan long term.
The board need to make a decision on Harry, with his contacts in the press it could make our summer a very long one, especially as SSN presenters are firmly stuck up his arse, god only knows why they didn't ask him if his refusal to rule out the England job unsettled the players?
if harry has anything to do with it hell sell for 25 mil seeing as hes so busy sucking off sir alex's bright red cock
Dude - any 15 year old with a computer can register on SC or similar and start writing cryptic shit that they make up off the top of their head. I guess it entertains them in some way. I suppose it's much like middle aged peados signing up to Bebo and pretending to be 13 year old girls - presumably they get off on that kind of thing.
No point getting upset about it, you've been in this game long enough to know better!
White poo is just old shit.
Bit like a lot of our players.
ITK´s are funny. A friend of mine who is Croatian told me Croatian press reported Kranjcar had left the squad to talk to Dynamo Kiev. Nothing reported about it in the anglo press and no ITK´s said anything before it happened. Then ITK´s said they have info about him leaving Spurs very soon with Kiev a likely destination. Then the anglo press report it, then it becomes official and the ITK´s who could have just heard from Croatian friends like I did brag about breaking the news before it happened.
Anyway, keep Modric, bring in a new manager and sign a couple of strikers and get the Vertonghen deal closed.
`Modric as part of Fergies 100million spree this summer` I read.
United, credited up to their eyeballs, with newly rich neighbours, begging veteran midfielders out of retirement? Doubtful.
But if Luka does go anywhere, not a penny less than 40 mil please.
Hold onto Bale and VDV at all costs.
Get Hudd fit, play VDV in midfield - at least he`s got goals in him - and buy two proper strikers. This has got me all romantic about the days of Hoddle, Ardiles, Crooks and Archibald!
White dog poo - you`d run over it on your bike and it would explode into a dog shit cloud. Hang on............... like when Redkrapp opens his mouth. You don`t think that dirty bugger has eaten all the white dog poo?
Can anyone let me know where I can get a list of all Tottenham's sales and signings since HR joined?
@ Spurs 37001
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C._seasons
But not all signings are made by Harry and not all departing players have been sold by him. Levy is the main man and he and his people have brought in the likes of Walker, Sandro, VdV even do Redknapp gets a word in when it comes to direct first team signings. So I have heard anyway.
This is ridiculous.
"The Manchester United supporting tabloid journalists"? I assume you're referring to the ABU media that claim we're in crisis any time we don't win a game comfortably. The papers that tediously keep asking 'can United sign big name players anymore', a day after we sign Dortmund's, the best team in Germany, most creative player. You're entitled to your opinion and all that but to say the press support United is insanity.
And it was Levy acting the twat in the Carrick and Berba deals. If Levy gets £30 million offered for Modric he'll accept. Fact. Personally though, whilst I'd welcome Modric, I don't think any deal will be anywhere near likely.
^^^^
So, Twatch, astonish us with your insight into what Levy will or won't do. Is it MU's crippling debt service costs making you think Levy will cut you a cut price deal? Any more facts you can share?
How did Levy become the twat in the Carrick and Berbatov affairs? Sure, he could have made sure he had a replacement lined up but that is our problem, not ManU´s. That he took a hard stance against the devils should be applauded. If they want our diamonds they should be ready to cough up some gold.
He become the twat because he didn't pull his pants down and bend over for Utd from the off because that's what Utd tend to expect every time they bid for someone.
The sooner the club sell that little rat raced tosser the better. If he stays for the next season, then he will go missing next
January until the end of the season like he has in prevous years. I don't care where he goes to, as long as it is not another prem team. just to stick it up to those wa@#ers at cheatski and mud(scumbag) utd.
Now we hear that Harry Redcrapp tells us that he would have taken the England job had he been offered it. Well thanks a bunch
Harry, why not just keep your big mouth shut.
How about not discussing the matter at all. Show some respect for the club that employee you and the fans that support the team. Coming from a man who is now upset because he feels the club are stalling on a new contract. The man has some nerve.
Good article spooky. Repeat last summer unless we get a £50m bid. No reason to mess with what worked last time.
Regarding comments about a circus at WHL - only circus is on the interweb junk sites like newsnow. Solution: Stop reading those junk sites and the circus vanishes. It is not magic. Stop smoking and you breath better. Stop drinking and you avoid hangovers. Stop reading BS and you stop believing BS.
Regarding Niko: a very good footballber but to be fair to him he wanted to go and with Luka/Bale/Rafa in the squad he was always going to be second string. No problem with selling him in isolation. OTOH if we are selling Niko and retaining deadwood like Bentley, Gio, Jenas etc we want our heads tested.
coys - stop supporting Tottenham and avoid suicidal tendancies.
Ok newsnow etc you have to take with a pinch of salt, but there`s some humour on there too. I love the articles stating `Redknapp seen tapping up target (Seedoorf) live on tv.`
Priceless and more interestingly evidence that neutral commentators as well as supporters of other clubs are now seeing Redkrapp for what he is.
They are a little misguided though, as I am more convinced he`s tapping up Hanson than Seedorf.
Predictably the Daily Mail have totally misread the mood and insist that Spurs fans will be `perplexed` if Levy doesn`t give him his own way.
Not as perplexed as we were following his fcuking up 3rd place for us.
Luka showing off for Croatia against the Orish. The show off.
Look on the bright side. At this rate the asking price will be up to 55 mil by the end of the group stage!
.......................and Bilic is already wearing a Spurs hat!
Yet another promising young manager has been snapped up by a Premiership club, while Mr. Levy does nothing.
Am talking Chris Hughton to Norwich, in the wake of Rodgers to Liverpool and Lambert to Villa. For sure there is
no loyalty in football anymore, but Harrys disloyalty is so glaringly obvious and disrespectful and the contadicting
comments still keep coming from him, so much so, that it is time to show him the door............And some players
may well indicate that they will go if he goes, but then they always say that do they not? Hughton for example, will
get Grant Hoult to stay at Norwich, while Martinez could get Bale, Mod, Vart etc. not only staying, but playing to their full capabilities.
full potential
The grass is always greener it seems for some.........a few bad results ,sack the manager.Sack the Board ,change the Chairman.
For the first time in a long while........we have a Chairman who puts the club first,he has spent when asked,he has retained when needed,and sold when necessary,usually at a profit.We have a new Stadium (in Tottenham) on the horizon and we have a manager who has given us entertaining football and European football after an age away from it.
Yes dissapointed to be pipped by Arsenal for third,devasted in fact,but the solid foundations are there in place going forward.
January transfer window was an oppourtunity missed but who is going to sell a quality striker and center back mid season?
We need to stand firm ,keep the faith.........trust in Levy and Rednapp to get it right.They have both made mistakes,clubs do,
Piennar was goldon boy for Everton and shocking for us,it happens.Very few clubs are consistantly succesful over a period of years but that is what we must aspire to,we have stated down the road and have something to build on.Some cast envious eyes at
Norwich ,Liverpool and Villa ( for goodness sake) on the choice of Manager.So what exactly are we envious of,missed promotion, avoiding relegation,and one reasonable season in the Premier League?? against that a top four finish and a team the envy of all bar three clubs in the country?
Makes you wonder what they (Spurs) have to do to get some of you guys on board.But thats football.