Tottenham bosses know the history of transfer hijacking all too well.
They thought they had signed Emmanuel Petit, but then Arsenal dropped their pants and essentially helped Willian complete his medical at Chelsea.
6
But they have managed to outdo their rivals before, such as in 1988 when they overtook Manchester United and secured Young Player of the Year, Paul Gascoigne.
The Newcastle star thought he would be heading to Manchester in a few hours. Gazza even told manager Alex Ferguson he would come to see him at Old Trafford.
The head coach was so confident that he went on holiday believing United had secured the services of one of the most exciting midfielders in football history.
But then Spurs, under chairman Irving Scholar, intervened and offered to buy the player’s family a house, but he changed his mind and signed him for £2 million.
“I go and lie by the pool when I get a call over the PA system,” Fergie explained in an interview with the late journalist David Frost. “It was [chairman Martin Edwards] told me that Tottenham had [signed him instead] by buying a house in the northeast for Paul’s parents.”
However, the promise of a new home was not enough for him, because his father also asked for a car since the new house had a garage.
Not only that, Spurs also bought his sister a sun lounger!
“She should have had a tan, then I would have a few more medals,” Gazza later joked, recalling his regret at not joining United, who dominated the Premier League in the 1990s.
Needless to say, Fergie was not impressed upon his return.
The manager almost signed him when he took over at United in 1986.
6
6
One year after taking office, he played in the First Division against Newcastle FC, who were in danger of relegation.
Man United’s midfield featured Norman Whiteside, Bryan Robson and Remi Moses – “all great footballers”, Fergie told Frost.
“And he just ripped them apart,” he said of 20-year-old rising star Gazza.
He is the only player Fergie regrets not signing, saying he might have helped him escape the pressures of living in the capital as a young lad, alluding to the fact that alcoholism – something he has spoken very openly about – has affected his professional and personal life.
Gazza became a superstar two years after joining Spurs when he played for England at the 1990 World Cup.
They reached the semi-finals of the country’s most successful tournament since their victory in 1966. One of the most iconic images shows Gazza wiping away tears with his number 19 shirt.
At club level, he won the 1991 FA Cup, scoring a memorable free-kick goal in the semi-final against Arsenal, but was injured in the final.
After that, he was unlucky and his move to Lazio in 1992 did not work out, although he did enjoy success with Rangers in 1995 and was part of the English semi-finalists at the 1996 European Championship.
6
6
6
Despite his superstar status, he is not a Premier League legend. But things could have turned out differently.
“We could have knocked out London. We had Bobby Charlton, a Geordie. We had Bryan Robson, a Geordie,” Fergie added.
“We had a structure of players who could have helped him – to teach him some discipline.”
Man United was at the beginning of something big: the Premier League was founded in 1992 and the club won six of its first eight games before the turn of the century.
Gazza finally played in the English top division when he moved to Middlesbrough in 1998 and then to Everton in 2000.
MORE TRANSFER STORIES
Gazza in her words
He was one of the best players of his time and a whole host of names were impressed by Gascoigne
“I would say the most talented footballer this country has ever produced.” – Gary Lineker
“When I was a kid, Paul Gascoigne was my hero. He was the one I always looked up to and always wanted to be like.” – Frank Lampard
“I remember the European Championship in England where Gascoigne played some great games and I remember the ‘Sombrero’ at Wembley. It was spectacular.” – Xavi
“He could not only choose a pass, but also go past two or three players – with the football at his feet he was a genius.” – Alan Shearer
“He was aggressive, very physical, but at the same time very technical – fantastic qualities that you need to be a top footballer.” – Jose Mourinho