Croatian midfielder Modric is reportedly set to join Spanish champions Real Madrid in a deal worth around 30 million pounds.

"At the moment he's still a Tottenham player," Villas-Boas said.

"So until the chairman (Daniel Levy) tells me what is happening, we'll obviously keep his training programme individually."

On the subject of potential replacements, he added: "We've outlined a couple of solutions. We still have to address them because this (situation) has put the market on hold.

"We've made initial contact with a couple of clubs and players. But before this situation is solved we couldn't do anything because we already have a certain amount of players in that position.

"If the transfer really happens, we will look to strengthen the squad."

Despite the disruption, Villas-Boas remains confident ahead of his first season in charge at White Hart Lane and Saturday's opener away to Newcastle United.

"Our ambitions are high," he said.

"We are certainly looking to add a trophy to our cabinet.

"But winning the Premier League is an extremely difficult proposition. It is dependent on how well we can do in the market.

"The market is still open, but as we have seen for a couple of teams it is still stalling. It is not becoming easier to deal.

"On the eventuality that we achieve what we want in the market, we can then set out better goals for the year.

"Our commitment is to buy well, and buy players with talent, so we can go one step further than the previous year."

Tottenham finished fourth last season but missed a Champions League berth after Chelsea entered the competition as defending champions.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew meanwhile is hoping his team can go one better than last season, and improve on their Europa League qualification by securing a top-four finish.

"Without a doubt the Premier League will come first, for sure," he said when asked about the club's priorities for the coming season.

"We are going to try and push from where we were last year, pushing those Champions League teams. We were the closest to them and we are going to try and narrow that gap if we can."