Harry Redknapp has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur could not replace Luka Modric if the Croatian midfielder were to leave the club.

Modric was linked with a move away from White Hart Lane last summer but Spurs managed to keep the 26-year-old despite a number of approaches from Chelsea.

Redknapp said: "He is a fantastic player, great professional, top bloke. You can't replace him.

"You can sell him but you can't replace him with someone as good.

"Once you start selling your best players you are finished. He's one of the better players in world football. He's an amazing footballer."

Modric has been a key player in Tottenham's season and will be hoping to take a step closer to securing Champions League qualification this weekend against Aston Villa.