Luka Modric has said he resented Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for breaking his promise and not allowing the midfielder to move to Chelsea, before finally selling him to Real Madrid.
In the summer of 2011 the Croatian, having had three seasons at Spurs, revealed he wanted to leave the club with Chelsea in hot pursuit of the midfielder.
Spurs wouldn't let him go and the former Dinamo Zagreb man had to wait another year before getting his move, finally leaving for Real Madrid for £40 million.
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Writing in his book, 'Luka Modric: My Autobiography,' serialised by the Guardian, the 34-year-old revealed how he resented Levy for stopping his move.
"[Levy] reprimanded me for publicly announcing I wanted to leave and repeated that Tottenham had no intention of selling at any price.
"...A stressful period followed. The media analysed my status daily; Tottenham fans, understandably, resented that I wanted to leave. On the other hand, Harry Redknapp showed understanding for my situation in his public appearances.
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"...But my head just wasn't there, so I handed in an official transfer request. Chelsea kept coming back with improved offers after Levy's every rejection. All of this aggravated me.
"...Despite all the turbulence, I always had a good relationship with Levy. He was the one who brought me to Tottenham - for a record fee in the club's history. That only showed how highly he thought of me. However, I resented him because on a couple of occasions he had promised to let me move to a bigger club and then broke his promise. For me, one's promise and one's word are more important than anything.
"I had proven myself as a player. I didn't know where I would go from Tottenham. I didn't know if and when Levy would agree to sell me. But I was convinced it was time to move on, to a new and bigger challenge."
Modric also revealed his secret meeting with Roman Abramovich where the Chelsea owner revealed his plans to sign him on his yacht in the south of France, writing, " It was all very exciting. Twenty or so people, who seemed part of the security detail, met us at the boat. It was quick and well organised; just as we made ourselves comfortable on one of the luxury decks, Abramovich showed up. He was accompanied by his wife Dasha and their son. I was fascinated by the discreet disappearance of all the security people just as he arrived.
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"During our meeting on the Côte d'Azur, he left an impression of a relaxed, somewhat mysterious person. He wasn't beating around the bush and said: 'We know you are a quality player. I'd like you to sign for Chelsea.'
"I had come to his yacht to talk, so it was evident I wished the same. I had three successful seasons at Tottenham behind me....My feeling was that it was time for a move - I wanted to fight for trophies and win titles, and I felt this wouldn't happen if I stayed at Tottenham. I wanted to move to a more ambitious club.
"'Do you think Tottenham will resist your transfer? Are they going to put up a fight?' Abramovich asked. 'I think the negotiations are going to be tough,' I replied, because I knew the clubs were not on good terms."
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In the end everything worked out for Modric, he moved to the Bernabeu and has since won two La Liga titles, four Champions League titles and won the Ballon d'Or.
Maybe he should be thanking Daniel Levy instead.
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