Six year deal for Luka Modric

Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has signed a new six-year contract to keep him at Tottenham until 2016.

The 24-year-old, who joined Spurs from Dinamo Zagreb in summer 2008, had been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United after impressing for the north London club over the past two seasons.

But he committed his long-term future to Tottenham, insisting he had "no interest in going anywhere else".

He told www.tottenhamhotspur.com: "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them.

"Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere.

"Last season's top-four finish was an indication of where we are as a club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs."

Modric was a key player as Harry Redknapp's side finished fourth in the Barclays Premier League in 2009/10 to secure a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

He has featured 77 times for Spurs, scoring eight goals.

Carragher: Top four is priority

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says the club will be concentrating on regaining their place in the top four next season.

The Reds finished the last campaign in a disappointing seventh place after facing strong challenges from the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham for the final the Champions League spot.

Spurs eventually grabbed the sought after place to break the once dominant hold Liverpool had at the top of the Premier League, alongside Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

But off-the-field turbulence at Anfield has continued to rumble throughout the week and manager Rafa Benitez is unlikely to have the funds he desires to bolster his squad.

And Carragher says his side will focus on climbing back up the table - rather than mounting a strong title challenge - because of the shortage of cash available to their Spanish manager to strengthen.

The England stopper said in The People: "Clubs like Real Madrid and Inter Milan can just throw £100million at new players if they don't win the title.

"But Liverpool can't do that. We have to build. We can't just raid the transfer market.

"Next season, rather than thinking too much about the title, we have to concentrate on getting back in the top four."

City target Ibrahimovic, Yaya Toure

Manchester City are reportedly eying the Barcelona pair of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Yaya Toure.

City's oily billions are set to make a big splash in the transfer market this summer to push harder for a Champions League place next season.

Almost every big player in the UK and on the continent has been linked with City ever since the transfer window opened.

Now it is the turn of Ibrahimovic and Toure. The striker has been strongly linked with a move away from the Camp Nou in order to make room for new signing David Villa.

While Barcelona have repeatedly denied these claims, a number of clubs, including AC Milan have expressed an interest in the Swede. Now City have joined the queue, according to the Daily Mail.

Coach Roberto Mancini has worked with Ibrahimbovic at Inter Milan before and the Mail claims he is keen on the striker spearheading the attack at Eastlands next season.

Meanwhile, Yaya Toure has reportedly been recommended to the gaffer by his brother Kolo.

Manchester United are also said to be interested in the midfielder.

"United will come back stronger"

Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson has warned Premier League teams that Manchester United will be hungrier than ever next season.

United had a relatively barren 2009/10 campaign, with only the Carling Cup to show for their efforts.

They were pipped to the Premier League post by Chelsea while a moment of madness from right-back Rafael Da Silva cost them the Champions League quarter-final against losing finalists Bayern Munich.

The failures will only spur the team on, according to Robson.

In comments reported by the Daily Mirror, he said:"I'm sure United will come back stronger next season and will be thinking only of winning the title again.

"You need a little fortune to win trophies and that's what United had in the previous three years, with not too many injuries, so the gaffer was able to play his strongest team.

"But their luck ran out last season with a succession of injuries, especially in ­defence. He didn't have the options and that cost him.

"At the same time it gave opportunities to younger players and they will be better for the experience and I think you'll see the benefit of that next season.

"Jonny Evans has been terrific. He looks as if he's going to be a top centre-half.

"You have to say Rafael Da Silva's rash moment and sending off against Bayern Munich cost United in the Champions League, but he'll learn from that."

While fans are worried the side is over reliant on Wayne Rooney for goals (the striker was the top scorer for the Red Devils. The second highest? Own goals), Robson is of the opinion that the current crop of young strikers need to be given a bit more time to mature.

"The gaffer will give front players like Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck the chance to prove themselves.

"He's patient because of their age and the knowledge that they need time.

"The player I really think will come through is Gabriel Obertan. He's been used mainly wide, but I think his best position might be through the middle.

"All of these young players are on a learning curve and the next season or two will be very important.

"They will determine whether or not they are genuine Manchester United players."

Arsenal interested in Wigan star

Arsenal are looking to bring striker Hugo Rodallega over to the Emirates in a bid to shore their forward line.

Rodallega impressed in the debut season in the Premier League and in fact, scored the winner in Wigan's famous 3-2 comeback win over the Gunners in April.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been roundly criticised for his failure to add depth to his squad - a failing which many pundits feel led to the team's season imploding towards the end of the last campaign.

Seemingly determined to address the situation, the Frenchman has lined up Rodallega as one of the potential strikers to partner Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie up front.

However, Aston Villa have also shown an interest in the striker.

Manager Martin O'Neill is putting together a team that can challenge for a Champions League spot next season and with the futures of current strikers John Carew and Emile Heskey uncertain, he needs to move fast to fill the gaps.

However, if a bidding war were to break out between Arsenal and Villa, there can only be one winner, assuming of course the Gunners want Rodallega badly enough.

Man City step up David Silva hunt

Valencia have confirmed that Manchester City have contacted them regarding the availability of David Silva.

Reports suggest the Blues are willing to spend up to £30million on the Spain international.

Valencia would find it difficult to snub such an approach, with their financial difficulties well documented.

They have already offloaded star striker David Villa to Barcelona, but further funds would be most welcome.

City are hoping to take advantage of the unfortunate situation at Mestalla, with money troubles not an issue at Eastlands.

They have identified a number of potential targets, and Silva features prominently on that list.

Initial contact with Valencia has now been made, putting the wheels in motion, but formal talks will not take place until later in the summer.

"The news is true," said Los Che president Manuel Llorente.

"City got in touch with us to ask for a meeting, but then they informed us that they could not come and that they intend to do so a little further down the line."

Andy Roddick lashes out after defeat

Andy Roddick hit out at French Open organisers after he became the biggest male casualty of this year's tournament today.

Sixth seed Roddick suffered a crushing third-round defeat to world number 114 Teimuraz Gabashvili, who completed a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory in just one hour 56 minutes on Suzanne Lenglen Court.

Three-time Wimbledon runner-up Roddick is not a fan of Roland Garros' notoriously-slow second showcourt, having lost five straight matches on it.

But it was not being scheduled there which infuriated the American.

Instead, he was angry with the way court covers are allowed to stay wet at the back of the court at Roland Garros, a gripe which saw him involved in several tense exchanges with the umpire.

He said: "They dry the whole court, but then they leave the tarps soaking wet.

"If a ball rolls through a puddle enough times, can you tell me what happens to it? Then when clay attaches to it, it doesn't get lighter.

"It's something that I've been pretty adamant about complaining about behind closed doors for a long time.

"The umpire said to me, 'Well, it happens every year'. I'm going, 'Is that supposed to make me feel better?' I didn't understand that logic."

Asked repeatedly about the court itself, Roddick added: "It's just the way that it plays doesn't really help me out much. That's all. That's fine."