The Luka Modric to Chelsea speculation has been one of the most talked about subjects amongst football fans this summer.

The Tottenham midfielder has been consistently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea having two bids rejected for his services including a £27m offer made earlier this week.

It is clear to those placing football bets on the issue that new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas wants so sign the Croatian as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours during his first campaign in charge.

It is equally clear though that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp does not want to sell one of his best players.

He has held this stance throughout the speculation and is showing no signs of backing down, despite Modric indicating that he would be keen on making the move happen.

On the much talked about issue, Redknapp said: “We know he wants to leave, whether he writes it down on a piece of paper doesn’t really make any difference to our stance.”

“He’s a great player and we don’t want to lose him.”

There is no doubt that the Modric talk has affected Tottenham’s preparations for the new season. However, with a mini-tour of South Africa coming up, including two games that Modric is expected to be involved in, Redknapp is hoping everyone can start focusing on the new campaign.

The Spurs boss continued: “Hopefully he will go away and get a bit of football now and just get on with it. We hope that he will come back and get ready for the new season.”

A situation similar to that Redknapp has described would of course be perfect for Tottenham, but given Chelsea’s determination to get their man and Modric’s openness to the move, it is highly unlikely we have heard the last of this just yet.

Those looking at football betting ahead of the new season will expect a third Chelsea bid for Modric before too long which will again test Tottenham’s resolve.

Redknapp and Tottneham chairman Daniel Levy may well be determined to keep hold of Modric, but there is surely only so long a club can hold onto a player that wants to move on? Especially when a club like Chelsea is doing the shopping.

Tottenham’s stance on this issue is admiral though. They are a very good team in their own right and shouldn’t bow down to a team they will consider as rivals for a Champions League place.

It is over to Chelsea for the next move as we search for a conclusion to this long running sage before the start of the new Premier League season.