Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has revealed that Tottenham wanted to sign Antoine Semenyo this month.
However, Spurs missed their target and Semenyo instead moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City for £62.5 million.
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Frank’s side have been linked with the Ghana international on several occasions during the January transfer window, which closes on Monday, February 2.
However, they failed to complete a deal and their manager has now confirmed their interest in Semenyo, although the Dane said he had broken a rule by doing so.
Spurs boss Frank told the media that the club wanted to sign Semenyo as he spoke out in defense of his winter deal.
They only brought in two players in the window, with Conor Gallagher and Souza coming in for over £50m between them.
And fans wanted more with their team sitting 14th in the Premier League and in desperate need of reinforcements.
Frank said on Friday afternoon: “The club is working tirelessly to do what it can to improve the squad, especially Johan.” [Lange]Fabio [Paratici] and Vinai [Venkatesham] and everyone who stands behind them.
“We cannot obsess over a short-term solution because we cannot limit our activities in the future… I can promise this to the Lewis family.” [owners] are super committed and there is no doubt that the club is clear.
“I’m going to break a rule. We wanted to sign Semenyo. It’s a big commitment in terms of finances and all that.”
“It is aligned and they are the good players we are looking for to improve the squad.”
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Semenyo at Man City
Tottenham may have wanted Semenyo, but they didn’t get him.
Instead, he made a bright start at Man City, scoring three goals in his first four appearances for the club.
The 26-year-old left Bournemouth on January 9 as City moved quickly to get their man through the door.
Semenyo scored and assisted on his FA Cup debut in a huge 10-1 win over Exeter at the Etihad Stadium.
And since then he has scored in the Carabao Cup and the league.
Spurs and Frank will be aware of the quality of the player they missed out on, with the north London club set to face him on Sunday.
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What else did Frank say?
Spurs coach Frank further commented on the fact that there is no more business for the club in the January transfer window.
He said: “The fans just want the best for the club, as do I, the owners and everyone at the club.”
“However, it’s fair to say that the transfer window is not like Football Manager. Perhaps if it were it would be more boring and there would be less to talk about.”
Frank was later asked if he thought his squad was worse off than when the window opened due to injuries and limited additions.
“I think that’s fair,” he admitted. “We lost six or seven players. That’s crazy and some of them were extremely unlucky, like Lucas and Ben.”
“Of course it is weaker than when it started on January 1st.”