Spurs scoff at Modric rumours and other red-hot gossip

Tottenham are confident they can see off Manchester United's interest in star midfielder Luka Modric. United were earlier this week linked with a £25m move for the little Croatian, with many suggesting he had become Sir Alex Ferguson’s number one summer target. “He's not a player we should even be thinking about selling or want to sell if we want to progress as a club," Redknapp hit back. Elsewhere, Everton are in pole position to sign Leeds' Jermaine Beckford at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent; Sunderland hope to keep loan duo Alan Hutton from Tottenham and Lyon's John Mensah at the club next season; and Rafael Benitez could take charge of his last game at Liverpool on Sunday after a breakdown of trust with the Anfield board who think he is "playing games" over links with Juventus.