Luka Modric will hand in a transfer request this week as his bid to leave Spurs for Chelsea intensifies and just as the Blues increase their offer to £27m for the midfielder.
The Croatian has sparked fury from Spurs fans for his reported comments about a meeting he had with chairman Daniel Levy in which Levy is said to have agreed to let him go should a bigger club come in for him.
Levy denies such a meeting took place and on the balance of probability, Chelsea-Mad sides with Levy.
However, it does mean that if Modric is to gets his wish for a megabucks move, er, sorry a move to further his footballing ambitions, he will have to hand in a transfer request.
Now this is just what Chelsea want - as it will give them greater leverage in agreeing a lower transfer fee.
But they may have to "make the difference" up to Modric in what he will lose financially by asking for a move.
Modric is due to get on a plane to South Africa with Spurs tomorrow for pres-season training and matches.
Either way Chelsea will get their man for less than if it was a straightforward transfer.