Tottenham Hotspur’s success in agreeing to sign Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer, has sparked off disbelief among the Croatian sources who maintain that the highly-rated midfielder wanted to go to Newcastle United and how did the club agree with Spurs for less money than that offered by the Toon.

According to a report in Sunday Sun, Spurs have paid Dinamo £16.6 million while the Toon had seen their bid of around £20 million fail.

“Luka really wanted to go to Newcastle, but they would not pay more,” a source in Zagreb is reported as saying.

“Dinamo asked for £25 million and also Modric wanted a little more money in wages – but not much more.

“So it is strange that the transfer with Tottenham would be agreed for much less money.”