Tottenham Transfers: 4 Players to Target If Modric Leaves

Midfielder Luka Modric is one of the biggest reasons Tottenham is closing in on its first league title since 1961.

The only bad thing is, everyone else in the Premiership knows it.

As recently as December 29, Modric admitted to Guardian.co.uk that it's possible he could leave White Hart Lane for cross-town rival Chelsea.

What if that happens?

What if one of the world's best deep-lying midfielders leaves Tottenham for one of the other title hopefuls? In addition to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have shown that they have cash and that they aren't afraid to use it.

If Harry Redknapp and Co. are forced to replace Modric, they'd do well even without the Croatian international.

Here's the players they could go after.

Andrea Pirlo, Juventus

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo may be a bit older than Modric—Pirlo is 32, Modric is 26—but he'd be as seamless a changeover as anyone.

Pirlo has been a deep-lying, distribution-based midfielder since Modric was 10 years old. The Italian national wouldn't be a long-term solution, but he would help prevent Tottenham from completely overhauling their tactics with the players they've currently got on their roster.

Michael Essien, Chelsea

If Chelsea's going to come in and swoop one of your best players, why not just go into their camp and do the same thing?

Essien is a tough tackler, crosses the ball as well as anyone in the Premier League and has a wicked shot of his own from long range. He's also incredibly versatile, playing at right back and right wing when needed.

After all, why wouldn't you want someone Independent.co.uk nicknamed "The Bison?"

Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona

Yes, yes, I know—Andres Iniesta is more of a winger.

But, there's not a better player when the ball needs to be passed through the tiniest of windows.

He can play any position in the midfield, earning praise from Spain's manager Vicente del Bosque who told Guardian.co.uk that Iniesta is "the complete footballer. He can attack and defend, he creates and scores."

If Modric leaves, there may need to be some shuffling in the midfield and bringing in a gifted, yet versatile, player like Iniesta.

He may be just what Tottenham needs to overcome the Manchester twins in the league table.

Lucas Leiva, Liverpool

Liverpool may have started the season as a sinking ship, but it looks as though manager Kenny Dalglish has righted the vessel—thanks in part to the consistently good play of Lucas Leiva.

He came to Liverpool as an attacking midfielder, but Dalglish has since transitioned him into one of the Premier League's best holding midfielders.

The Brazilian international was injured and is out for rest of the season after colliding with Chelsea's Juan Mata on December 1, but he still might be worth getting because Modric may not leave until the summer.