Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has reportedly called on chairman Daniel Levy to give Luka Modric a payrise to thwart any transfer away from White Hart Lane.

The Croatian midfielder, 25, signed a new six-year deal last season but has been subject of aggressive pursuit this summer from Chelsea, who are offering him a significant wage increase.

Redknapp said that Modric and Levy had "fallen out" over the saga but thinks that a new offer and a "meeting" would resolve the problem.

"If Daniel tells him we need him, he is important and that we are ambitious and will bring one or two players in, you might find the boy will be okay," said Redknapp yesterday.

"People have to understand it is not an easy situation," he added. "If someone offered to treble anyone's wages, they would find it difficult, wherever they worked. That is the situation the boy is in.

"If someone offers £150,000 a week rather than £50,000, you are going to have your head turned. Some players can handle it. I know players who have caused havoc in the dressing room in order to get a move. I have seen it so many times. But he wouldn't cause anyone a problem.

"Let's be truthful. He wanted to go, but he has just got confused with it all."

Redknapp left Modric out of his squad for Monday's game with Man United after saying that "his head was not right".