Tottenham chiefs have been busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to bolster their side before the window closes at the end of this month. Spurs have spent £22.5million on Sevilla winger Bryan Gil and a further £42m on Christian Romero, while Pierluigi Gollini has come in on loan. Chiefs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have also been chasing Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
The striker was heavily linked with a move to north London, with Arsenal vying for the player’s signature as well.
But any deal for Spurs to bring the Argentine to the Premier League appears to be dead in the water, with the Martinez’s agent now saying his client wants to stay at Inter.
With their latest transfer attempt seemingly collapsing, Express Sport looks at which other superstars Tottenham have missed out on landing over the years.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was agonisingly close to a move to Tottenham after the club’s Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.
The Portugal international was apparently ‘bitterly disappointed’ to miss out on a move to Spurs – but his misery didn’t last long.
He signed for Manchester United during the following transfer window and hasn’t looked back since.
Fernandes has been a sensation at Old Trafford, notching an incredible 43 goals and 25 assists in just 81 games for the club.
He began this season by hitting a hat-trick as United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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Sadio Mane
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was also keen to broker a deal to bring Sadio Mane to north London.
The Senegal international was racking up the goals for Southampton at the time and was being monitored by a plethora of top clubs.
During his time at St Mary’s Stadium, Mane scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, hitting three strikes against Aston Villa in just two minutes and 56 seconds.
Mane was always destined for big things after that and eventually got his big-money move to Liverpool in 2016.
He has gone on to taste Premier League and Champions League success during his five years at Anfield.
Jack Grealish
In 2019, Aston Villa were willing to let their talisman leave for £40m. But the price proved too high for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who was only willing to offer £25m.
Villa laughed off the offer, seemingly knowing the true worth of their star man.
Grealish soon became a Premier League superstar and this summer Manchester City broke the bank to land the creative genius for £105m.
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The three near misses could have created a star-studded team in north London and may have changed the course of Tottenham history.
It’s a mouthwatering prospect to dream about the feats former boss Pochettino could have achieved had he still been at the club with Fernandes, Mane and Grealish at his disposal.
Willian
Willian, who was plying his trade with Anzhi in Russia at the time, apparently had a medical at Tottenham in 2013 after agreeing a deal in principle.
But the Brazilian changed his mind at the 11th hour after already completing all his tests at Spurs.
Willian instead chose to move to Chelsea. He made 259 appearances for the club and scored 38 goals before getting a mega-money move to Arsenal last summer.
He won the Premier League twice at Stamford Bridge but he has flattered to deceive across the city and has struggled to even command a regular starting place at Arsenal.
Rivaldo
Brazil superstar Rivaldo had just lifted the World Cup trophy in 2002 when Tottenham came calling.
The midfielder had a year left on his contract at Barcelona but the club had just appointed Louis van Gaal for the second time – and the duo didn’t get on.
Rivaldo was at the top of his game and all the usual big hitters were interested, including the likes of Man Utd.
The player opted against a move to England in the end and eventually left the Nou Camp for AC Milan.
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