Luka's affair.

Ahh little Luka Modric. A magician on the pitch, the Paul Daniels of our midfield. I can only reminisce reciting similar phrases about a particular Bulgarian forward a few years back. Just like the 'saga' surrounding Berba's disgruntled exit, the Modric situation is starting to get Lionel. It's been widely reported of the break down in relations between Levy and the Croat; the love - hate affair I didn't think I could take another summer of. After gossip of a secret affair with Chelsea last year, Modric is now experiencing a fling with Madrid with the view of foreseeing a new life in Spain - he was even spotted enjoying a meal out with the Spanish capital's representatives, forbearing the little attempt we're making in trying to keep him. We're happy to let him go, but only on our terms.

You'd have thought it would be clearer than water by now that you mess with Levy at your own peril. Modric of all people suffered at the hands of our Chairman, being locked away from Chelsea until September finally rolled upon us; the summer long will he/won't he soap opera concluded and we won. Levy's tough stance on the price in which we value Modric has seemingly triggered Madrid to have a quiet word with our Croatian to try and ease his path to Spain. Kicking up a fuss, refusing to train and rumours of a slagging off of our "chicken badge" once again.

"I think Modric is wrong,” AVB is reported as saying . “This will go against him. He has worsened the situation with what he's doing and now the chairman (Daniel Levy) is very angry.

"This is also not a good time for Daniel Levy, who is in the USA at the moment, because his wife is ill."

"He's good, very good,” he added. “I tried to sign him last summer for Chelsea. He will be a big loss.

“He's a player who can make the difference, who gives a lot of clarity to the play when the team needs it and who can play in several positions.”

Modric was fantastic last season. He didn't dwell on his obvious disappointment at not getting his move across the capital and proved why we were so adamant of keeping hold of him. The player can leave, we're resigned to it. But he leaves for the price we demand. My concern is this will pan out like the Berba tranfer did. A stalemate for the next 5 weeks before Madrid finally caving and paying the price we value Modric at. I'd like to think that we've learnt from that ordeal. We took a massive fee but the side was left crippled. 

I can already feel a sense of Déjà vu.

Regards.