Chelsea are ready to use midfielder Yossi Benayoun as a bait to land long-time target Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues had two initial bids of £22million and £27million rejected by their North London rivals, who have time and again reinterated their stance against selling the Croatian playmaker.

But according to The Daily Mirror, a fresh offer from Stamford Bridge could come in the form of a cash plus player deal - with Benayoun set to be used as a make-weight.

Benayoun has been a peripheral figure at Chelsea since his £5.5million move from Liverpool last year - featuring in just six league games due to a ruptured achilles tendon in September.

It is believed Andre Villas-Boas is not prepared to risk having an injury-prone player in a position that he feels is crucial to his side's fortunes in the upcoming season. 

The new Blues coach wants Modric - who is in the same mould and style as Benayoun - to help compliment his attack and hoping to tempt Spurs with the Israeli international.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is known to be a big admirer of the former Liverpool midfielder and has previously showed interest in signing him a few seasons back.

But it remains to be seen if he would amenable in losing Modric for the 31-year-old.

Espnstar.com