Berbatov's future up in the air as Modric joins Spurs

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos yesterday welcomed £15.8 million signing Luca Modric — but admitted striker Dimitar Berbatov could be on his way out of White Hart Lane.

Midfielder Modric, 22, has agreed a five-year deal with the Carling Cup winners and watched his new club's 1-1 Premier League draw with Bolton. He will move from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer, as long as he passes the medical and is given international clearance, in a deal including clauses that could make it as much as £20.5m.

The signing of Modric is a coup for Tottenham, who snatched the highly-rated playmaker from under the noses of Newcastle and Manchester City.

Ramos believes Modric is just the player he wants to attract to White Hart Lane.

"There are a few things left, like the medical. When the deal is confirmed, we will be delighted," Ramos said.

"Modric can play anywhere across the midfield and put in a fantastic performance.

"That's the advantage of this type of player. We will use him as we need him.

"The club always try to sign good players. We want to show we are ambitious. We continue to work on building up our squad, but there is no determined timescale to our transfer deals."

Modric believes he is moving to the best league in the world. He said: "It will be a real pleasure to play in the English league. It is the best in Europe, with three English clubs in the semi-finals of the Champions League."

Ramos, however, confessed that Berbatov could be leaving. The Bulgaria striker is desperate to play in the Champions League, and Ramos said: "If a team meet the club's asking price and the chairman wants to do the deal, then possibly he will leave."