Rafael van der Vaart says Spurs team-mate Luka Modric was 'a little disappointed' after being denied a move.
Dutch ace happy playmaker will not leave Tottenham
Rafael van der Vaart says Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric was 'a little bit disappointed' in training on Thursday after being denied a move, but is happy to stay at White Hart Lane.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy held talks with the midfielder over his future on Wednesday evening and subsequently reaffirmed that he would not be leaving the North London club for any price.
He refused to divulge Modric's stance on the situation after the Croatia international revealed last month he wanted to leave the Lane this summer, with London rivals Chelsea his preferred destination.
Return
The 25-year-old returned to pre-season training with Tottenham on Thursday morning after spending his summer break in Croatia.
And fellow midfielder Van der Vaart says he sympathises with Modric's situation after Chelsea made an unsuccessful £22million bid for his services.
"He was happy to see us," Van der Vaart told
Sky Sports News. "Maybe (he was) a little bit disappointed but I can understand him.
"It's not easy when a club wants to buy you.
"But I think he's happy here and he also told me that he likes to play with us again and train with us.
"So we're happy that he's staying."
Asked if Modric had his heart set on a move to Chelsea, Van der Vaart added: "I don't know. That's not what he told me.
"He loves to stay here and he loves to stay in London.
"Also, I think next season we have a good chance to win against Chelsea."
Key players
Levy and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp have continually stressed the importance of retaining key players such as Modric, Van der Vaart and star winger Gareth Bale if they want to keep progressing.
And Dutchman Van der Vaart echoed that position, adding: "It is great to keep the players and (Modric) is fantastic.
"We want to be in the top four again and maybe more this year. So we have to keep good players.
"We had a great season last year and this one is new again. I think it's going to be harder, but we've all stayed and we're going to play a great season."
