Tottenham Hotspur failed to sign a single new player in the summer transfer window, or the winter one for that matter, but it wasn’t through a lack of trying.
Everyone knows about Spurs’ move for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, but Ajax wonderkid Frenkie De Jong recently revealed that he turned down a move to North London in the summer.
This comes after the midfielder signed to join Barcelona next season, and has also been drawn against Tottenham in the Champions League semi final for Ajax.
De Jong would have been the perfect long term replacement for Mousa Dembele, and Spurs have had a long-lasting, positive relationship with Ajax, having bought Vertonghen, Sanchez, and Eriksen from the Dutch club.
However, it wasn’t to be, as De Jong decided he wanted to stay for an extra year at Ajax, which prompted a move from Barcelona, scuppering any chance of Spurs landing the promising talent.
De Jong has now revealed exactly why he turned down Tottenham (FourFourTwo): “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.
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“I considered their 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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