I CAN’T help thinking Luka Modric has been holding a gun to Harry Redknapp’s head.

The Tottenham boss left his star player behind when the team travelled up to Manchester for Monday night’s Premier League clash with United, ostensibly because he was not 100 per cent fit but, when pressed, he admitted the Croatian’s “head’s not in the right place”.

Actually Modric’s head is in the right place, but not necessarily facing the right way because it has apparently been turned by the bucket loads of cash Chelsea are prepared to pay him if they can persuade Spurs to sell.

It would appear that Modric is the latest big-name player to put pressure on his club in an attempt to get a move.

It’s a familiar strategy that almost invariably works, forcing the club to cave in because they don’t want an unhappy player on their hands.

I’m delighted to say that, despite months of transfer speculation which has become more feverish as the deadline approaches, Gary Cahill appears to have been a model professional. He has continued to perform to the highest standards, played fair with his manager, kept his thoughts to himself and been prepared to wait for whatever comes along.

He may well move onwards and upwards before the window closes on August 31, but if he does leave the Reebok, he can go with a clear conscience and with the best wishes of the club and its supporters.