Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong is one of the most highly rated youngsters in world football at the moment.
The 21-year-old has spearheaded Ajax’s march into the final eight of the Champions League, and already become a regular in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side.
His technical ability, balance and intelligence, saw many of Europe’s biggest clubs vying for his signature but the youngster decided to join Barcelona and will move to the Catalan capital next season in a deal worth £65million (Independent).
Among the club’s who made an offer for De Jong last summer were Tottenham who have a great relationship with Ajax, having secured the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez from the Amsterdam based club.
De Jong revealed that he considered the offer from Spurs long and hard but simply felt that the timing wasn’t right for a move. He also said that he likes the football that the Lillywhites play and that it would have suited his style.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, the midfielder said, “The moment wasn’t right. I wasn’t finished at Ajax, as I hadn’t yet played a full season in my own position.
“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 considered their [Spurs’] offer long and hard. 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.”
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