(standard.co.uk) Andre-Villas-Boas remains the strong favourite to become Tottenham’s new manager and his first task could be to resolve the future of Luka Modric.

Villas-Boas’s representatives have been in discussions with Spurs ever since Harry Redknapp was sacked as manager on June 13 and it is thought he now has the edge on France coach Laurent Blanc to take charge at White Hart Lane.

Coach Tim Sherwood, retained by chairman Daniel Levy even though he was brought in by Redknapp, is likely to have a prominent role within the new management team, which should be unveiled before many of the players return for pre-season training next week.

Modric will not be among those who report for duty as he will be given extra time off after playing for Croatia in Euro 2012. The chances of the playmaker returning to Tottenham at all appear to be receding, with Real Madrid leading the race to sign him.

Sources in Spain claim the Spanish champions are desperate to add Modric to their midfield and are prepared to offer Spurs a package worth €35million (£27.9m), which would also include Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin, who is valued at €10m (£7.9m).

Tottenham would like to keep Modric but realise that the pragmatic move could be to cash in this summer, which would provide a new manager with greater funds in the transfer market.

Paris St-Germain have also expressed an interest in the 26-year-old, as have Manchester United, although it is understood Spurs would prefer to sell Modric abroad rather than strengthen a Premier League rival.

done deal

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