There was plenty of late drama for Tottenham fans in the summer transfer window.
Spurs signed Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso on deadline day but failed to get a deal for Paulo Dybala over the line [BBC].
There was also a late, late deal in place for 29-year-old Danny Rose to join Watford, according to Football Insider, but he reportedly blocked the move and stayed at Spurs.
The report claims that he could still leave with the European window open until early September, but he won’t be joining an English club.
How much truth in this?
Football Insider is a reliable source that broke a lot of stories over the summer. And their version of events was seemingly backed up by the Sun’s transfer expert Alan Nixon on Friday.
Asked by a Tottenham fan if the Rose reports were true, Nixon replied cryptically, “Rose is very much his own man”.
Rose is very much his own man. https://t.co/VkMZsbrW7D
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 9, 2019
Pressed further Nixon said, “Rose won’t be hurried into going anywhere”.
Rose won’t be hurried into going anywhere. https://t.co/bbHqbggt6i
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 9, 2019
Blessing in disguise?
Mauricio Pochettino might have been looking for an upgrade on Rose this summer but his departure would have left a hole in the squad ahead of the opening Premier League fixtures this weekend.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Aston Villa on Saturday evening, Pochettino confirmed that both Sessegnon and Ben Davies would be unavailable.
Sessegnon will be out for three-to-four weeks and it isn’t clear where Pochettino is going to play him yet.
For this Saturday at least, it looks like Rose will start and play an important role for Tottenham.
#thfc At Hotspur Way for Poch’s first pre-match presser of the season. Alli, Sessegnon (hamstring), Davies (groin), Foyth (ankle), Son (suspended) all unavailable vs Villa. Wanyama, Dier & Aurier back in training.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) August 9, 2019