Gareth Bale is thrilled Tottenham were able to keep hold of Luka Modric.

Modric is having to get his head around remaining at Tottenham for the first half of this season at least after chairman Daniel Levy thwarted the Croatian's bid to engineer a big-money move to Chelsea.

Bale told The Sun: "I think it was a massive statement by the chairman. We're looking to build a good team and a good future for the club. So it is vitally important to keep your best players.

"I wouldn't say it raised a few eyebrows in the dressing room but it made us realise the club want to build a good team and that the chairman is looking in the same direction as us.

"Luka has a contract, the chairman wants to move forward and that's why he wanted to keep Luka."

Modric scored his first goal of the season in Tottenham's 4-0 demolition of Liverpool last Sunday.

Bale added: "Luka's been fine. He knows he is with a good team and a good club.

"I know we're not in the Champions League this season but we've got a chance of getting back into it next year.

"Hopefully we can do that. There's no reason why we can't. We've certainly got a good enough squad."