Villas-Boas: Modric in talks with Real Madrid

LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says Luka Modric is training on his own while the midfielder holds discussions with Real Madrid about a move to the Spanish champions.

The Croatia international is widely reported to be on the verge of joining Madrid in the coming days, ending his four-year spell at Tottenham.

Villas-Boas says "he is still a Tottenham player but from what the chairman has told me, talks are ongoing - they stalled a little bit two weeks ago, but they have picked up recently.''

Villas-Boas said Thursday that he cannot sign a replacement for Modric until the midfielder departs.

British media are saying Modric could cost Madrid 30 million pounds ($47 million).

Tottenham begins the new Premier League season with a match at Newcastle on Saturday.

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