I did pose that question directly on another thread, but never got a direct answer. I do not read the Daily Mail as it's a ghastly rag that is neither one thing, or the other. Am I to take it, then, that the Mail is attributing these comments as being made by Modric himself in a conversation with one of their journalists? If that is the case, presumably they will have some recorded proof?
Liverpool agreed a deal with Chelsea for Gerrard a few years ago. It fell through because of threats made to him and his family by disgruntled fans, allegedly. The reason that they haven't faced many of their star players wanting to leave (though Torres, Mascherano and Alonso have), is that they pay massive wages. Proof, if any was needed, that the appeal of the Champions League is merely a mirage and that money is the real driving force.
Piskie you are naive The rule you quote has been ignored countless times and will continue to be That does not necessarily mean the alleged Modric quotes are false but it is convenient that they appear at a time when the media is desperately trying to tap him up because they want the status quo of Chelsea/Man Utd dominating to continue The only way to prove that Modric wants to leave is for him to appear on TV and say so
I am going to put this one to bed, much as Levy has. When I hear Modric say I want to leave Spurs for any club, from his lips, only then will I believe it. And even then Levy will say I am sorry Luka baby, you sighned a contract and thats the end of it. Or thats what he should bloody well say.
A couple of minor problems with that, SNIOM. Firstly, you haven't actually signed Gervinho and secondly, Lille haven't accepted a bid from City, so he hasn't had an opportunity to turn them down, let alone actually done it. Other than that, you're spot on!
Lille have talked about Arsenal's bid, but have never mentioned any interest from City. "Sources close to the player" largely means "we're making this **** up" in journo-speak. Frankly, you're believing what you want to believe. There's been absolutely no reliable information that says that City even considered making a bid for Gervinho.
One report always spirals into many, as others repeat the same claims. It's extremely rare for any team to deny any transfer speculation during this window, as there's just so much of it and doing so would help to isolate their real targets. Lille specifically mentioned the supposed bid from Spurs, so why would they keep one from City quiet? Even if they had received one, that doesn't mean that they accepted it, so your suggestion that Gervinho turned them or frankly anyone down to join you is a little bizarre.
Somebody said it on Old 606 and it still rings true - how can any paper say it's terrible when Barca publicly state their desire to have Fabregas one minute, yet encourage MUPLC/Chelsea/Liverpool/City to do the same with players at other clubs the next? It's the same attitude, the same methods, and the same underhanded tactic. The Grauniad, meanwhile, underlined what's wrong with English football perfectly in one throwaway attempt at humour today - apparently only three people in the UK didn't laugh when Levy said Modric is staying. Obviously they don't recall Alan Shearer or Matt Le Tissier staying put...
