NEWCASTLE United have lost out on one of their top summer targets.
Magpies boss Kevin Keegan had hoped to make Croatian wizard Luka Modric one of his top signings for next season.
However, United have lost out to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have stepped in to nick the midfield playmaker from unde
r the Magpies nose.
It had looked as though the duo might become locked in a bidding war for the Dinamo Zagreb star.
But reports today revealed that Spurs had agreed a £15.8m deal for the player's services.
The news will be a big blow for Keegan, who is aiming to bring a number of top European signings to St James's Park this summer.
On Tuesday, Modric was reported to have been on Tyneside to discuss a move to St James' Park and visit the club's training ground.
And Keegan, speaking this week, made no secret of his admiration for a playmaker who was also thought to have been a target of Barcelona.
"If you had a list of the midfield players around Europe who Newcastle could possibly attract, Luka Modric would be one of them," said Keegan.
"I think he would be pretty much on everyone else's list as well because he is a fantastic prospect.
"If you look at the midfield players who have a fantastic future, he would be one of them. But every other club in the league, from Arsenal and Manchester United, would like Modric."
The signing of Modric is a major coup for Spurs manager Juande Ramos and the Tottenham hierarchy, who needed to make a statement of intent after a hugely frustrating season for the north London club.
Spurs were widely tipped to break the stranglehold of the big four before the current season began – most likely at the expense of bitter rivals Arsenal – but under former boss Martin Jol they made a disastrous start to fall way off the pace for even a UEFA Cup spot.
Since his arrival in October, Ramos has overseen a major improvement in fortunes, including a Carling Cup triumph which has guaranteed European football for next season.
Despite the setback over Modric, Keegan is still confident that he can lure other big names to the north east.
The United boss is well aware that he will face stiff competition for new signings, particularly from the big four.
The full article contains 400 words and appears in Shields Gazette newspaper.
