United set for January transfer battle to sign Modric?

Speculation suggests that Manchester United and Chelsea could be locked in a tense New Year battle as both clubs aim to sign Luka Modric from Spurs. Reports suggest that the White Hart Lane giants would want £40million for the Croatian international.

Chelsea were heavily linked with Modric’s services over the summer months and the attack-minded midfielder even handed in a transfer request as he tried to engineer a transfer.

He has subsequently played a prominent role in Tottenham’s unlikely title challenge bid this season, though he has only one league goal to his name this season.

Tabloid newspapers believe that Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been linked with Modric before, regards the playmaker as an ideal replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired from professional football last summer.

As United continue to pose the main challenge to Manchester City for the league title, rumours suggest that Harry Redknapp privately fears a move from Old Trafford for Modric in the New Year.

Whilst reports also claim Chelsea’s interest in the player has cooled, Andre Villas-Boas may see the former NK Inter man as a player who could galvanise his side’s fading title credentials.

Modric was in action on Tuesday evening as Spurs claimed a deserved 2-0 win at Norwich City, thanks to two Gareth Bale goals.