Troy Deeney has revealed that both Arsenal and Tottenham have approached him following Watford’s relegation from the Premier League in 2020.
But even if neither move ultimately materialized, the Hornets legend says the Gunners’ interest never waned thanks to his rather bold comments in a post-match interview.
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Deeney eventually signed with boyhood club Birmingham City in 2021, where he stayed for two years before moving to Forest Green Rovers, who he later managed for six games from December 2023 to January 2024.
But before his departure from Vicarage Road, the ex-striker received an offer regarding a move to the Emirates and a chance to stay in the Premier League – although there was a catch.
Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, Deeney said: “You know I was close to signing.” [for Arsenal]. The year I was relegated.
“We lost 3-2 at Arsenal, me and Welbz [Danny Welbeck] If we scored we probably could have beaten you, it was this COVID year, behind closed doors.
“We got relegated that day, it’s at Arsenal, and everyone said ‘Ahhh cajones!’ and whatever: ‘Shut up, man.'”
Deeney is, of course, referring to the time he accused Arsenal of a lack of “cojones” following Watford’s 2-1 win over the north London giants at Vicarage Road in the 2017/18 season, sparking a feud between him and the Gunners supporters triggered.
He continued: “Then, back in training, I just sit on the bike because my knee isn’t right.”
“Someone from Arsenal shouts: ‘Yo, would you go to Arsenal? But what you need to do is apologize for that comment.’
“I said I wouldn’t apologize for it.”
Tottenham were also interested in Deeney that same summer, with Jose Mourinho considering him as a replacement for striker Harry Kane.
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“I went to the south of France, it was still Corona times, you couldn’t really fly and stuff,” explained Deeney. “And my agent calls: ‘Watford want to get rid of you’.”
“I’m literally thinking ‘Me!?’ Remember that I ride in shorts because I can’t wear pants because my knee is too strong [from an injury he was playing through].
“My knee is swelling and now you want to talk about getting rid of me?”
“Considering I haven’t gotten paid for the last four months! Because I told them to keep it and make sure the employees get paid. Now I took everything personally.”
“Anyway, I settled down for a week, came back and they said, ‘Will you talk to me?’ [Jose] Mourinho at Spurs?’
“If you remember the season ended in July and then we were straight back into it, it was a quick turnaround. Will I speak to Mourinho? Of course I will, it’s Jose, what do you think? Who will not speak?” to Mourinho.
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And soon Deeney found himself face to face with the special one – but there was a catch here too.
“He wanted me to come to Spurs but they did [Carlos] Vinicius type [lined up]“They’re toying with this idea,” he said.
“You asked me for an interview [with Mourinho]he wanted to know if I would come in and be myself. I said, “Listen, I’m 32, let’s have a good time, I’m coming.” It was the only time I would have played in Europe.
“If Harry [Kane] If he’s doing well, I would be his biggest cheerleader, but if not, I intervene – and push him daily too.
I’m nowhere near as good as Harry, not nearly, I’ll never say that. But there are certain things I do that he can’t do.
“But I thought I could do it [back-up] role and they were in the Europa League or something like that so I was happy to play every Thursday, no problem.
We were talking, he said, “If I don’t come.” [Vinicus] You’re next over the line.’ Sweet.”
Of course, Spurs eventually signed Vinicius and Deeney stayed at Vicarage Road for another year, helping Watford to promotion back to the top flight.
Who knows what would have happened if Vinicius had not been available and Deeney had never said that Arsene Wenger’s side lacked cojones.