Jermain Defoe believes that it is vital for Tottenham Hotspur to keep stars Luka Modric and Gareth Bale at the club this summer.

Speculation linking the midfielders with moves away from White Hart Lane has been rife in recent weeks, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both said to be monitoring the situation.

Reports have also suggested that the creative Croatian could be about to hand in a transfer request, while the Welshman is said to be pondering his future.

With Spurs now out of next season's Champions League, Harry Redknapp might find it difficult to keep his two prized assets but Defoe has warned that the midfield pair are irreplaceable.

"In football you never know what is going to happen but it is always important to keep hold of your top players," The Sun quotes Defoe ass saying. "Some players like Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are players you cannot replace, so it is important to keep them."

The 29-year-old admitted that he is still unsure if he will remain at the club, and could leave in order to find regular first-team football.

"It is a difficult one. I have never said I want to leave the club, all I have just said is I want to play," added Defoe. "As a forward you just want to get some sort of rhythm and a run in the team. That wasn't the case towards the end of the season.

"I am going to concentrate on England and go to the Euros, then see what happens."

Defoe scored 11 goals in 25 games last season.