ContinueTottenham fans are getting used to hearing rumours about Luka Modric and this summer has been no different with Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid all being linked with the creative midfielder.
There is certainly no pressure on Spurs to sell as Modric still has four years to run on his current deal at White Hart Lane. However, is it worth keeping a player who has publicly stated his desire for Champions League football and last season handed in a transfer request?
Tottenham may end up keeping Modric but they have, in recent weeks, been linked with a player who could be viewed as the perfect replacement. Joao Moutinho was instrumental in helping Portugal reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and his club football resume is equally impressive.
Having come through the famous Sporting academy, which produced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo, he was convinced to switch allegiances to the might of Porto, thanks in no small part to Andre Villas-Boas.
The new Tottenham boss is the man that signed Moutinho for Porto, the midfielder playing a vital role in completing a historic treble which consisted of the league title, the Portuguese Cup and the Europa League.
Porto did not lose a single game that season and Moutinho was key in helping get the best out of the impressive attacking duo of Hulk and Radamel Falcao. He may not have scored a league goal, but he was instrumental in contracting the play from the heart of midfield.
The 25-year-old has also recently heaped praise on Villas-Boas as he has been linked with a move to Tottenham.
"AVB is one of the best coaches I've worked with. I'd work with him again tomorrow," said Moutinho. "I don't really know what happened at Chelsea but when you employ a new coach you have to give him time.
"You can't always base his progress on results. If players are obstructive it makes the job very difficult. Perhaps in the end he was judged more on immediate results than he was on his long-term vision.
"All I do know is he did a fantastic job at Porto. He didn't win the league title and the Europa League by chance. But then he had a set of players who bought into his ideas and were enthusiastic and supportive."
Moutinho was again instrumental in Porto retaining the league title last season and he could perhaps be a perfect replacement for Modric. The Croatian was never prolific in front of goal, but rather helped the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Rafa van deer Vaart and Jermain Defoe.
Moutinho could perhaps do the same.
Let us know your thoughts below….
