Kranjcar moves closer to Tottenham exit

Niko Kranjcar has confirmed he is close to quitting Tottenham after again being frozen out of manager Harry Redknapp’s plans.

Croatia midfielder Kranjcar last week revealed he would leave White Hart Lane if he was not handed more first-team opportunities.

The 26-year-old has played second fiddle to Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon this season but an injury to the latter saw him start his first match of the campaign a week and a half ago in the 4-2 Barclays Premier League defeat at Bolton.

However, he immediately lost his place to David Bentley and has not featured since issuing his quit threat, although he continues to insist he would prefer to stay at Spurs if his situation improves.

He told Mediaservis: “Of course, I have to wait to see what Tottenham have to say, but as things stand, a transfer somewhere else is not that far away.

“I am not angry or too disappointed. I believe that things will improve at Spurs. But if not then I will look for a club where I can play week in and week out.

“I don’t want to spend my years just sitting on the bench because I love this sport, which is why I’m unhappy when I’m not playing more regularly.”

Kranjcar’s father Zlato, who is the manager of the Montenegro national team, claims his son has already made up his mind to leave, telling 24sata: “Niko is definitely leaving Tottenham.

“That is his choice and I totally agree with him. There just isn’t any sense to be sitting on the bench all the time.”

Zlato last week revealed his son’s preferred destination was Italy but that a move to Liverpool was also a possibility.

Kranjcar is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2013.