Sanchez rejected Barcelona before Spurs move

Davinson Sanchez has revealed to Spanish publication Marca that he rejected the chance to join Barcelona a year before Mauricio Pochettino sweet-talked him into quitting Ajax for Tottenham.

The Colombian, 21, became our record signing when he moved from the Dutch giants last summer for a deal that could eventually rise to a club record £42million.

The article goes on to say how Sanchez has been a regular for the club this season, predominantly playing in a back three with two of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier.

The article adds that before his arrival in north London, Sanchez was reported to be attracting interest from a number of clubs in Europe, particularly in Serie A, but the player has explained that he always had his sights on moving to Tottenham.

“The first person I spoke with was Pochettino,”:he told Marca. “I had chances to go to Italy but Mauricio convinced me, he’s very direct. It is very special because he was central and I feel I can trust him, it is very reasonable what he wants from me.

Sanchez added: “He believes that a good central defender must dominate and not forget the game when my team attacks. To be alive throughout the game.”

Sanchez went on to explain that he had the chance to join Barcelona when he left his native Colombia to move to Europe in the summer of 2016 however he choose Ajax so he could play regularly.

“There was an offer on the table, but you have to think about what conditions you are going to,”: Sanchez added. “I came from winning the Libertadores and had to go to the Barca, although I was also sure that I would finish in the first team because I have a lot of confidence in me and the ability to achieve important things. I played 48, 50 games in Ajax, what I needed.”

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