Peter Crouch: It will take ‘crazy money’ for Luka Modric or Gareth Bale to leave Tottenham

Peter Crouch

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By James Daly

Tottenham striker Peter Crouch believes it will take “crazy money” for another club to take team-mates Luka Modric and Gareth Bale away from the club.

Modric has been linked with a summer move to Premier League champions Manchester United, while speculation has surrounded Bale’s future, with European heavyweights Inter and AC Milan reportedly interested since his blistering form in the Champions League this season.

But Crouch, who scored in Spurs’ famous 1-0 win in the San Siro against the Serie A winners – is confident the star duo will be staying at White Hart Lane.

“Gareth and Luka are great lads to be honest and I know that they are happy where they are,” he said.

“Unless someone comes in with crazy money I can see them being there next season.”

Harry Redknapp’s side surprised many by reaching the quarter-finals in their debut season in Europe’s top competition and while they failed to qualify for next season’s tournament – finishing in a Europa League spot – Crouch believes the club is still on an upwards curve.

Crouch, speaking at the launch of MARS Just Play, said: “We’ve proved that we’re a top side; we just missed out on the Champions League this year, hopefully we will get back in it again and have a good run.

“I think it will be the toughest Premier League for a long time to be honest, we’ve got to make sure we get in the top four spot and in my opinion there’s no limit to what we can achieve, why can’t we aim for the title?”

And with that success has come links with Redknapp to the England job – which will become vacant next summer when Fabio Capello steps down – but Crouch wants his manager to stay at Spurs.

“Harry has done a fantastic job at Tottenham,” declared Crouch. “I’ve worked for him a few times now and he’s always got the best out of me.

“Whatever job he decides to do is up to him but I want him to stay at Tottenham.”

The Mod Father | Modric has been linked with a move to Manchester United

Meanwhile, team-mate Danny Rose will be representing England in the Under-21 European Championships this summer and Crouch is keen to see how his colleague gets on.

“I’ll catch a few of the games, Danny has done really well since he’s come in at Tottenham, I think he’s got a bright future and I think he’ll do well at the Euros without a doubt,” he said.

“He’s a good player, he’s got a bright future in my opinion. He’s been playing left wing but in my opinion he’ll be fantastic at left-back and he can be a real top player. That goal against Arsenal was a great way to introduce yourself – he’s got a great strike on him.”

One player who won’t be taking part in the tournament is Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere who was not selected amid a club versus country row over burnout and Crouch believes the right choice was made.

“I think it’s difficult, you look at Wilshere; he got into the Arsenal team playing every week and it’s hard,” he said.

“He’s going to burn himself out if he plays too much and I think it can be a real possibility if you’re playing too many games. I think having played for the senior England team as well, I think it’s right he can probably do without playing there in the Under-21s.

“I know him, I know he is a very proud and privileged to play for his country – as am I – and I think if he was selected then of course he would have gone and given his all but I think it’s probably a wise decision that he hasn’t.”

While the 6 ft 7 in striker hasn’t himself heard about any potential moves away from White Hart Lane he is keen for frustrated team-mate Jermain Defoe to remain.

“Whenever we’ve played together our record has been very good,” Crouch said.

“I think Jermain will stay, he loves Tottenham and he loves playing for the club. He’s scored over 100 goals for Tottenham now and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that.

“He’s a great player and if he stays he can go onto achieve legendary status at Tottenham. I think he is that good; he’s got a good foundation, he has scored a lot of goals and the fans love him.”

Crouch was talking at the launch of the Mars Just Play initiative in Camberwell. The FA and MARS Just Play program aims to get a 150 000 new participants playing the game for at least 30 minutes a week by September 2013. Search online for Just Play.