Arsenal legend admits he was in talks over joining Spurs back in 2009

Patrick Vieira has admitted that he was in talks over potentially joining Tottenham in 2009 but the transfer ultimately proved impossible to complete.

Vieira is considered one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players and the Frenchman was part of a golden era with the Gunners during Arsene Wenger’s reign.

The midfielder lost just one North London derby during his time at Arsenal and the 45-year-old once again proved a thorn in Spurs side on Saturday – this time as a head coach as his Crystal Palace side picked up their first win of the season by humiliating an injury-hit Spurs side 3-0.

The Palace boss has now admitted that he was seriously considering joining Tottenham when they were managed by Harry Redknapp as he was keen to return to the Premier League after his time in the Serie A.

However, the Gunners legend admitted it quickly became clear to him that the move had no chance of going through.

When asked about whether he could have joined Spurs during his playing days, Vieira told Football.London: “It is too far and a long time ago. I don’t remember.

“No, that was a period where I really wanted to come back to the Premier League.

“Knowing Harry quite well and admiring him as a manager, we had a conversation about different options but at the end, there was no chance of me coming to England and going to Spurs, no chance.”

Spurs Web Opinion

The potential backlash from both Arsenal and Spurs fans would have likely been the main deterrent that stopped Vieira’s move to Tottenham from going through.

The club eventually made the right call in pulling out from the transfer and the reception he would have received at White Hart Lane, would not have been pretty.

Additionally, the Frenchman had declined considerably around that time following his time at Inter Milan. He certainly had his struggles when he eventually returned to the Premier League with City.

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