The start of Euro 2012 was not enough to silence rumors regarding both Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart making possible exits from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. Modric leaving certainly wouldn't be any sort of surprise, but fans also shouldn't assume that Van der Vaart will remain loyal to Spurs OR vice versa depending on what deals are presented to the club over the next couple of months.
Spurs transfer rumors: PSG join in on the Modric fun
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to make an offer for the talented midfielder. Modric, who hinted even before the 2012 Champions League Final that ultimately cost Spurs a spot in next season's competition that he could leave the club this summer, is reportedly also a target of Manchester United. It seems as of the writing of this sentence that PSG would have the upper hand in any bidding war that involves Modric.
Reports that surfaced last week claimed that United were prepared to offer around £22m for Modric. Spurs were unwilling to sell Modric to Chelsea for £40m on August 2011 deadline day, and the current rumor is that Tottenham will be looking to gain somewhere around £30m for the wantaway star. Free-spending PSG, who finished second in the league table this past May, will likely have no problem matching Tottenham's demands this summer.
Speculation regarding Modric's future unquestionably affected Spurs at the start of the 2011 campaign, when they were thrashed by both United and Manchester City. Manager Harry Redknapp did well to keep Modric from forcing a transfer a year ago, but a lot has changed since last August. Redknapp himself is in pursuit of a contract extension that may never come, and Spurs choked away Champions League football during the final third of the 2011-12 season. If Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy can get over £30m for Modric this summer, the team may have no other choice but to give the midfielder the exit he desires.
Spurs transfer rumors: Rafa to Schalke again
It was less than a week ago when Rafael Van der Vaart publicly pledged his allegiance to Spurs, and thus seemingly silenced any rumors regarding his potentially leaving White Hart Lane for FC Schalke 04. Not so fast, however, as sources such as Sporting Life have reported that Schalke manager Huub Stevens is not yet ready to give up the fight. According to the reports, Stevens, who coached the Dutch ace back when the two were at Hamburg, has been in contact with Van der Vaart's agent regarding a potential summer move.
Reports began swirling in the week leading up to Euro 2012 that Van der Vaart would be interested in playing in Germany because of his wife having a job at television station RTL, which is located near Schalke's grounds. Van der Vaart has constantly praised Tottenham, Redknapp and the team's fan base since joining Spurs, and he told reporters last week that he was "happy in England."
Things could get very interesting with this story depending on how badly Stevens wants a reunion with Van der Vaart. Spurs lost out on a lot of Champions League money after Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich, and while Van der Vaart would again be a lineup mainstay for Tottenham if he remains with the club through August, it's worth noting that the Dutch superstar is also routinely the first player subbed off by Redknapp. Maybe it's just me, but nobody in the Tottenham squad not named either Gareth Bale or Kyle Walker should be 100 percent "off the market." Accepting a phone call doesn't hurt anybody, and Redknapp and Levy shouldn't shy away from placing a high price tag on a player such as Van der Vaart.
You never know. Schalke may just be willing to pay.
