Pienaar: Modric likley to leave Spurs

Everton’s Steven Pienaar has warned his former team-mates that top clubs will target Luka Modric again in the summer.

The Croatian has been one of Spurs’ best players this season and is one of the reasons they are challenging for the Premier League title.

But with Manchester United and Chelsea set to reignite their interest in the playmaker it is thought he could be tempted this time around.

Pienaar, on loan at Goodison Park from Spurs, told The Sunday Mirror: “Luka is a top player for Spurs and if he leaves it is hard to say what will happen there.”

“He is such an important member of the team. Tottenham will want to keep him at the club, but it is difficult when a player like him wants to move on.”

“As a player only a few opportunities to move on come up in your life, so I can see it from both sides.”

“It was hard for Luka at the start of the season because he was thinking about his future. But he is a good professional and after the chance to leave Spurs passed he did everything he could for the team. He is that kind of guy.”

“That’s why the other players like him so much. But I understand from my own experience that if a good ­opportunity is blocked by your club, it can be hard to concentrate.”

The South African re-signed for Everton on deadline day after an injury-plagued time at White Hart Lane, but will be showing his support for Spurs when they face Liverpool.

“It was hard for me at Spurs,” Pienaar said.

“I got injured and I never really got a chance because they were playing so well. But I have asked for tickets off some of the guys so that I can support Tottenham at Liverpool.”