Modric accuses Levy of broken promises and 'threats'

Luka Modric has reiterated his desire to leave Tottenham for Chelsea, and has expressed his frustration with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for preventing him from doing so. Modric told a Croatian newspaper that Levy had broken a "gentlemen's agreement" to allow him to leave this summer.

Chelsea have already made a £22m bid for the midfielder, but Modric insisted he hoped the two clubs could find an agreement. "I haven't thought about it at all because [not letting me go] would definitely not be good for anyone," he said. "I have already told the chairman that. Last summer he said we would find a mutually satisfactory agreement if a club like Chelsea came in. I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner."

Modric is particularly frustrated given his belief that Levy has reneged on a promise made last summer. "I reminded the chairman of our gentlemen's agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham," he said. "Then I had an open chat with Levy – that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned. The chairman said: 'OK, we'll sit and talk [about any offers]'."

Levy was clear, though, that Modric would not be sold. "Now Levy doesn't want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs," Modric reported. "He threatened me – he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."

Despite the impasse, Modric still believes that an agreement can be reached: "I know that the new Chelsea boss said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option."