Tottenham continue to insist that Modric is not for sale after the club rejected a £22m bid from Chelsea late last month.
But the Blues are believed to be preparing to make a fresh bid for the Croatia international as they face up to being without Michael Essien for several months.
Essien was injured in training on Friday and is undergoing medical tests, with the club fearing that yet another knee injury could rule the Ghana international out for as long as six months, while some reports on Saturday suggested the 28-year-old could even miss the entire 2011/12 campaign.
According to the Sunday Express, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to make an improved bid for the midfielder of more than £30m as the Russian looks to test Tottenham's resolve.
And according to sources close to Abramovich, he is ready to give new manager Andre Villas-Boas "whatever it takes" to sign the players the 33-year-old needs, which could include Tevez.
The Argentina international last week confirmed he wants to leave City this summer, and although he cited family reasons for wanting to move, it is believed that a move to London - not Argentina where his daughters are - would appeal.
City want £50m for Tevez, which almost certainly rules out the chance of a move back to Argentina.
But other than Real Madrid - who are interested - Chelsea are the only other club who could afford both his transfer fee and his wage demands.
Modric is Chelsea's priority, according to Sunday's report, although the Blues could make a move for Javier Pastore should Tottenham continue to dig their heels.
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