Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News: Spurs Fine Modric for Refusing to Train

The situation between Tottenham and their midfielder Luka Modric looks like it could be taking an ugly turn.

The Croatian midfielder has made his desire to leave the North London club very evident over the past year.

Last summer, the 26-year-old midfielder was very vocal about his desire to go to rival club Chelsea, who made failed bid after failed bid for Modric's services.

To his credit, though, Modric was a model professional throughout that saga, and after Spurs made it clear they were keeping him, he was a helpful tool in the squad.

This summer, though, Luka looks to have lost his patience.

After making clear his desire to leave once again and with multiple other top clubs demonstrating their desire for the Croatian, Tottenham said that they would only let Modric go for a deal of at least £40 million.

As a result, Modric went AWOL today, as he did not show up to training. Obviously, this was a desperate attempt to force the club's hand in a transfer deal to his desired destination, Real Madrid.

Now, Luka did apparently get on the team flight to Los Angeles for the start of their tour of the U.S., but the club still took disciplinary action.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Spurs' new manager Andre Villas-Boas fined Modric £80,000 for his refusal to train.

This act of insubordination could not have sat well with AVB, who suffered a sacking at Chelsea last season mostly because of his squad's similar attitude toward playing for him.

Therefore, if I had to bet, I'd say this move was fairly crafty on Modric's part, as it may just seal his ticket out of White Hart Lane.

But should Tottenham and, specifically, chairman Daniel Levy decide that Luka Modric is an important piece in next season's puzzle and refuse to sell him off, today's series of events could be an omen of some ugly times ahead in this transfer saga.

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