Tottenham had a deal for Udinese star Gerard Deulofeu wrapped up before his latest injury set back stopped it from happening.
That’s according to Italian agent Stefano Antonelli, who says Tottenham had “practically completed” the transfer before Deulofeu’s setback scuppered it.
Deulofeu had been linked with a return to the Premier League throughout January after impressing again for Udinese this season, scoring two and assisting six in 16 games in Serie A.
Several Premier League sides were said to be interested but Tottenham were not one of them, with Spurs instead focused on trying to get a deal for Pedro Porro over the line.
Antonio Conte’s side did eventually sign a forward player, bringing in Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal and hijacking his move to Everton at the final moment.
That move came out of the blue, with the Dutchman having undergone a medical with the Blues and even posed for photos holding their shirt ahead of the media announcement.
He instead ended up at Tottenham, and it seems that might have been due to their late need to find an alternative to Deulofeu.
“He (Deulofeu) didn’t go to Roma but mainly to Tottenham who were the closest team,” Tuttomercatoweb report him saying.
“There was no talk about it, and it was right, it was a confidential negotiation. An operation practically completed.
“Then the player had to have his knee cleaned due to a physical complaint and so everything fell through.”
