LONDON: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed Luka Modric asked him if he could miss Sunday's 5-1 defeat against Manchester City as the Croatian tries to force a transfer to Chelsea.

Redknapp believes Modric is being advised to do everything he can to engineer a move to Chelsea after Spurs turned down two bids for the midfielder from their London rivals.

Reports on Sunday claimed Chelsea were ready to make a 40 million pound (45 million euros) offer for Modric before the transfer window closes on Wednesday and he approached Redknapp to ask to miss the City clash just hours before kick-off.

Modric eventually played for 65 minutes, but gave a lacklustre display and Redknapp said: “Luka came to me at 11.30 this morning and said to me, 'I don't feel my head is right today'.

“I said, 'I feel you need to play today, Luka. I need you to play'.

“I told him we had injuries and I said, 'We need you on the pitch, get out and play'. I told him he was our main man.

“I'm sure he is getting advised to maybe not play. We have seen it with other clubs.

“He was okay yesterday to play and obviously something happened last night. Who knows what went on.

“Some of the papers today were saying that they are ready to make a 40 million pound offer.

“While he still sees a chink of light to go to Chelsea, he is probably doing what maybe people are telling him the best way of getting out of here is.”