(Sean Walsh is a freelance writer, soccer fan and BPL contributor.)

Headline news in today's UK sports press are quotes from Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, regarding the playing future of their star playmaker, Luka Modric.

Redknapp was quoted saying what I expect is very close to the truth: a) Modric is confused and unhappy; b) the club wishes to keep its best players.

I'll get to 'confused' later, but 'unhappy' is self evident when someone from another club wants to double or triple your wages and your current employer points to the still-drying ink on his contract and says "no dice". This may be the beginning of a new epoch in Premier League football - or perhaps just another drawn-out transfer saga a la Berbatov or Fabregas.

It's a familiar transfer story in European football: star player from second-tier team plays well and is signed to a long-term contract by his club.  He is then identified as being Champions League quality. In this scenario - after hints from the player's manager saying Player X is up for grabs - then comes the low-ball offer from another club, then follows the ambit claim from the player's club, then we get the negotiation and, shortly afterwards, Player X is rewarded with a contract upgrade and a new address.

Needless to say, the manager pockets a tidy sum as well. The downside for this system is it results in what should be called SPL Syndrome. Few people want to watch or pay to telecast a league where the result is a foregone conclusion.

Modric is now in demand by two of the financial heavyweights in world football, Manchester United and Chelsea.  Spurs have had the temerity to turn down a low-ball bid as they would like to keep their best players in the hope of seeing Champions League action again next season. The important thing is that they have not come out and said, "Not for that derisory offer", they have just said "No".

Tottenham have been here before.  They have turned over and had their tummy tickled by Manchester United in previous seasons resulting in Berbatov and Carrick leaving for what have been underwhelming stints at the league's Goliath.

In similar situations, it has been extremely rare for a team to stand their ground against the wishes of the player. So it's no wonder Modric is confused. To sell again would result in not only Modric leaving but also Bale and Sandro looking for the exit.

Spurs cannot offer prospective recruits regular Champions League football, so are not capable of attracting players of the same quality as those leaving.

They would have to return to the method by which they attracted Modric (16.5million pounds), Bale (10million pounds)  and Sandro (between 8 and 10million pounds): that is, paying over the odds for prospects and developing them into the finished article.

Through good practice and good luck, Tottenham had a team that last season was able to mix it with the best on the continent; why would they wish to return to the prospects' lucky dip?

It is in the interests of every Premier League club - except Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea - for Spurs to stand their ground. Because if Tottenham secure Champions League qualification this season, other clubs will be able to point to their experience and tell their disgruntled players that the grass is not always greener on the other pitch.