Luka Modric claims Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy threatened to leave him sat in the stands if he pushed for a move away from the club.
The Croatian midfielder has been the subject of sustained interest from Chelsea this summer, with the Blues tabling a £22million bid at one stage.
Spurs have made it clear that they will not be sanctioning a sale, especially to a Premier League rival, and rejected the Blues' offer out of hand.
They have also held talks with Modric regarding his future, with it hoped that they can convince him to ignore the speculation and focus on his duties at White Hart Lane.
The 25-year-old claims that he has been left with little option other than to accept that stance, with Levy having backtracked on previous claims that he would be prepared to discuss a deal.
Solution
"I reminded the chairman of our gentleman's agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham," Modric told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.
"At that time, I had an open chat with Levy - that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned.
"Now Levy doesn't want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs. He threatened me - he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."
"He threatened me - he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."
Luka Modric
Quotes of the week
Levy held crisis talks with Modric last week and reported immediately afterwards that the player would remain at White Hart Lane, but the former Dinamo Zagreb man has a different view on the success of the discussions.
"A lot has been published in the press about the meeting with Levy, who gave the public a twisted account of what happened," he added.
"I must say that I am genuinely disappointed about what Levy said to me. He didn't care about what I was telling him. It only convinced me further that I was right to consider moving on to another club.
"I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner."
Dream
Modric maintains that joining Chelsea would be a 'dream' for him, adding: "There is no doubt that Chelsea want me - they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham.
"I know that the new Chelsea boss (Andre Villas-Boas) said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me - it's a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available.
"It wasn't a snap decision - I talked a long time with my family and people whose opinions I respect. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option.
The Croatian midfielder has been the subject of sustained interest from Chelsea this summer, with the Blues tabling a £22million bid at one stage.
Spurs have made it clear that they will not be sanctioning a sale, especially to a Premier League rival, and rejected the Blues' offer out of hand.
They have also held talks with Modric regarding his future, with it hoped that they can convince him to ignore the speculation and focus on his duties at White Hart Lane.
The 25-year-old claims that he has been left with little option other than to accept that stance, with Levy having backtracked on previous claims that he would be prepared to discuss a deal.
Solution
"I reminded the chairman of our gentleman's agreement when we were in Dubrovnik last summer and I agreed a contract extension with Tottenham," Modric told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.
"At that time, I had an open chat with Levy - that if a bigger club came in with a concrete offer, we would consider it and agree the best solution for all concerned.
"Now Levy doesn't want to talk to me and said there is no possibility that I can leave Spurs. He threatened me - he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."
"He threatened me - he said if I didn't accept the club's stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands."
Luka Modric
Quotes of the week
Levy held crisis talks with Modric last week and reported immediately afterwards that the player would remain at White Hart Lane, but the former Dinamo Zagreb man has a different view on the success of the discussions.
"A lot has been published in the press about the meeting with Levy, who gave the public a twisted account of what happened," he added.
"I must say that I am genuinely disappointed about what Levy said to me. He didn't care about what I was telling him. It only convinced me further that I was right to consider moving on to another club.
"I hope that eventually he will understand the situation and that we will reach an agreement and go our separate ways in an appropriate manner."
Dream
Modric maintains that joining Chelsea would be a 'dream' for him, adding: "There is no doubt that Chelsea want me - they sent a concrete offer to Tottenham.
"I know that the new Chelsea boss (Andre Villas-Boas) said he wants me in his team. Of course I am flattered by this interest in me - it's a club that all players dream of joining, fighting for every competition available.
"It wasn't a snap decision - I talked a long time with my family and people whose opinions I respect. I thought about it, weighed it all up, and finally decided this was the best option.
