Luka Modric doesn't want to leave for money, says Rafael van der Vaart

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The 25-year-old Croatia playmaker last month stunned Spurs supporters by declaring he wants to leave - with Chelsea his preferred destination.

The north London club have rejected a £22million bid for Modric, with chairman Daniel Levy saying the player is not for sale.

However, Holland international Van der Vaart said on Sky Sports News: "If someone wants to leave it's difficult to keep them. When a player is unhappy it's not a good thing.

"Luka and (Gareth) Bale don't play for money - they play to win something. If they have to go to another club it's their decision.

"But I hope they stay because they are fantastic and really important for the club."

Van der Vaart was speaking on the day Spurs players returned for pre-season training, seeking to make up for the disappointment of missing out on Champions League football in the forthcoming campaign.

The 28-year-old added: "Drop too many points and you don't deserve to be in the Champions League. So next season we are going to focus on the Europa League.

"As a player you want to improve every year but the important thing is to help the team. If we stay together we have a good squad."