Modric transfer saga pivotal to more than Tottenham

Modric wants out. Spurs say no.

As Daniel Levy plays poker with Chelsea rejecting offer after offer for Luka Modric, something bigger is going in football.

I can only match the drama of Harry Redknapp's contention; "If Modric leaves, it'll all be over for Tottenham. Because if he goes, Bale, van der Vaart and the others will too."

But if Spurs do succeed in keeping the little Croatian, they'll stay this side of the wire as a "big club" and strike a blow for the aspirations of lesser teams up and down the land.

However, if Modric goes, Tottenham will join the wastelands of the also-rans at Newcastle United, Everton and dare I say it, Aston Villa, who've sold their two best players to Liverpool and Manchester United. (I can't utter their names I'm so disappointed. I'm Down but I'm still Young).

Modric doesn't come out of this with much credit. Happy to put pen to paper for six-years only fourteen months ago, his stock's risen suddenly after half a good season. Now he wants to cash in and join Chelsea. He rather resembles just another greedy footballer. Couldn't he achieve great silverware at White Hart Lane? He's hardly a rat leaving a sinking ship, is he?

So an impasse has arisen: Redknapp is happy to back Spurs chairman Levy's resolve not to sell one of his best players.

It was pivotal to Arsenal after selling Gael Clichy to Manchester City that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri stayed too. After their terrible slide into late season ignominy, a landslide threated to engulf The Emirates. But as the summer progresses, the Gunners may launch into the season relatively unscathed - even if Barca are like a dog with a bone.

Noel should be brought in to break the deadlock.

Daniel Levy is a brilliant negotiator, a skilled seller of his top players. Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov were sold for £19m and £33m respectively - fantastic sums for both at the time and he may just be exercising brinkmanship as usual to get another phenomenal price for Modric - but it's for bigger stakes this time.

Since Berba and Carrick left, Tottenham have shown they've got Champions League credentials. But if they're to eat at the top table with Chelsea, they must keep Modric.

And their resolve should send a stern message to the boardrooms at Goodison, Villa Park and even The Emirates.

Click here for the current Top Story Soccermongery's all about your feedback, so write away, right away!

Berbatov was brilliant - but so was Gerrard

Smoked Bulgarian Cheese, please.

Manchester United's 3-2 win over Liverpool will be remembered for Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick. The brilliant Bulgarian's shaken off whatever was bothering him at Old Trafford - and produced a performance worthy of his considerable talent.

But amid the fog of Liverpool's latest defeat, it's worth highlighting The Steven Gerrard Show. He turned in yet another captain's performance at Old Trafford. With typical one-man resilience, he struck twice to level the game when the Reds looked down and out at 2-nil down.

His free-kick to equalise at 2-all was particularly brilliant. Finding the only space available in the United wall to expertly place the ball past the unsighted Edwin Van der Sar.

Gerrard's love affair with Old Trafford. Sealed with a x.

It's a pity the Scouse warrior had to end up on the losing side but as his performance confirmed, he's playing the football of his life once more.

Soccermongery was critical of Steven Gerrard last season.  He looked off the pace and bothered by off-field problems. Now he's consigned those to the past and despite the ill winds of change swirling around Anfield, Liverpool can still reply on their talisman to deliver.

Not only is Gerrard turning in quality club performances, he's delivering for England too. Appointed captain because of the John Terry scandal and set free in midfield by the international absence of Frank Lampard, Gerrard keeps on playing himself into the lead role whoever he plays for.

It must be disspiriting for Gerrard to be playing at a club who can't arrest a decline which started in Rafa Benitez' last season in charge. I'm sure not even the most stringent Anfield loyalist would begrudge him leaving for pastures new (as long as it was abroad!)

Berbatov is also enjoying the limelight. Capitalising on wayward Wayne Rooney, the Bulgar can get on with his United career on a new footing. Don't be surprised if he outscores Wazza in United colours this season.

But Gerrard is too. To Liverpool and England, his contribution is priceless.