New Barcelona signing Frenkie de Jong has revealed that he was tempted to join Spurs last summer.
Barca confirmed they had completed the €75 million (£65m/$85m) signing of the Dutchman, a move that goes through in the summer, as they won the race for one of Europe’s most highly-rated young midfielders.
De Jong, who also talked highly about Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City before joining the Spanish giants now claim that he was close to playing for Tottenham at some point.
His words to FourFourTwo, “I considered their offer long and hard. The moment wasn’t right.”
“I wasn’t finished at Ajax, as I hadn’t yet played a full season in my own position,” he added.
“I was also injured in that period, so I was thinking, ‘not yet’. I felt I should stay for another year at Ajax, or perhaps longer.
“I see Tottenham as a very stable club, and they are only getting better.
“They give young players a chance and I see Mauricio Pochettino as a manager who really improves young players.
“I like the kind of football they are playing. I think it would have suited my game.”
“I always dreamed of Barca as a kid,” he said. “I just wanted to play for Barca.
“I liked the players, I liked the style. I think Barca is a bit of my dream club.”
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