Three transfers Tottenham missed out on, and the players they signed instead

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is famed for his negotiating skills – but his determination to drive a hard bargain has led to some missed opportunities over the years.

There have been other reasons for failed transfers over the years, of course, but Spurs’ desire to be self-sustaining was certainly one of the reasons behind their failure to sign a single player in the summer of 2018.

Here is a  look through the archives at nine players Levy and Spurs have missed out on, and who they ended up with instead.

Willian – Erik Lamela

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Andre Villas-Boas had identified Anzhi Makachkala winger Willian as Gareth Bale’s replacement, with the Brazilian completing a medical ahead of a £30million switch.

However, Roman Abramovich made a few calls to fellow oligarch Suleyman Kerimov – the Anzhi owner – and Willian was suddenly heading to Chelsea, with Spurs left reeling and accusing the Blues of only signing Willian as part of a personal vendetta.

Instead, Villas-Boas went for Erik Lamela, signing for a club-record £25million. After a tough first season, the Argentine winger has done well at times, but injuries and consistency have been an issue, restricting him to just 111 Premier League appearances in five years.

Joao Moutinho – Mousa Dembele(ish)

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Despite getting an hour’s extension past the transfer deadline in order to complete the transfer of Moutinho from Porto, Spurs could not get the deal over the line.

He was a principal target of Villas Boas’ after Luka Modric had been sold. A fee of £24million and personal terms were agreed, but the deal couldn’t be completed before the deadline.

“We were covered for the fact it could not happen bearing in mind it was a difficult club to deal with and would have been a club record fee,” Villas Boas said.

“We have cover enough and Moutinho’s transfer not happening should not overshadow that we got one of the biggest coups of the transfer market with (Clint) Dempsey.” Spurs had, at least, signed Mousa Dembele a couple of days beforehand, which worked out pretty well.

Sadio Mane – Moussa Sissoko

Image result for moussa sissoko wanted a quick, right-sided attacker – and you could say he still does – and Spurs were linked with the manager’s former Southampton man Sadio Mane.

Mane apparently visited the Spurs training ground and was set to move, only for Daniel Levy to drive a notoriously hard bargain.

He baulked at the £36million fee and £90k per week wage demands, and Spurs ended up signing Moussa Sissoko for £30million instead. That’s one he might regret a tad.

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