Exclusive - Redknapp: Chelsea deal for Mata ends Modric move

Harry Redknapp has told talkSPORT that any Chelsea move for Luka Modric is dead now that the Blues have signed Juan Mata.

Reports tonight suggest that Andre Villas-Boas’ side have agreed a deal to sign the Spanish international from Valencia.

And after fighting what looked to be a losing battle to hold on to his star man this summer, Redknapp revealed to the Press Pass that he was now confident of keeping Modric.

“Chelsea have signed him?” he said. “I didn’t know that. Well, I would think that’s the end of the Modric deal then, surely. I would [think the Mata deal has killed the Modric move]. I had no idea about that.

“We tried to get [Mata] to be honest with you. We were in for him strong about three weeks ago.

“I was driving back from the pre-season game with Brighton and the chairman said that he was confident he was going to sign the boy that night.

“He obviously turned it down but [the Chelsea move] has come out of the blue.”

Redknapp added that Spurs are planning to sit down with Modric to discuss a new deal in a renewed attempt to pacify his desire to move away from White Hart Lane.

“I think Daniel [Levy] has said he will sit down with Luka in a month or so and have a chat with him and a look at his contract.

“I want to keep him for sure. I just felt that if he didn’t want to be here that much that maybe we might have to sell him. If people don’t want to play for you, you might have to sell him and go and get three or four players in.

“As a player I couldn’t be happier to keep Luka Modric, he’s a fantastic footballer and as I’ve said many times you couldn’t meet a nicer boy.”