Spurs fans on Twitter have been reacting to some quotes from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, in which he suggests that the North London club were close to signing him last summer.
The Portuguese midfielder spoke to Mario Djurovski, a former North Macedonian international, on Instagram with quotes transcribed by the Manchester Evening News, saying:
“The first club that was close to signing me was Tottenham, with [Mauricio] Pochettino.
“But I don’t know maybe they thought the amount Sporting wanted was too much so in that moment Sporting decide they don’t want to sell.
He also went on to suggest that:
“Tottenham came in the summer but Manchester [United] was in January. Maybe Tottenham came again in January but when I knew Manchester was interested I just wanted to talk to Manchester.”
Spurs were heavily linked with signing the midfielder from Sporting Lisbon during the summer transfer window but were perhaps burdened by failing to sell Christian Eriksen amongst others, so perhaps didn’t have the funds necessary to bring him in. The 25-year-old then signed for Manchester United in January and has been superb in his brief time in the Premier League thus far, contributing two goals and three assists in five appearances in the top flight, averaging an impressive 7.82 rating (per WhoScored).
Are you disappointed that Spurs didn't sign Fernandes?
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No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the quotes from Fernandes can be seen in the tweets below.
I bet we would have signed him if Eriksen had left. Can’t be anything else that held us back
— Nicklas Dauer (@DauerNicklas) June 4, 2020
Some Spurs fans expressed their disappointment at not being able to sign the midfielder.
Never been more gutted about not signing a player we was linked with especially as Eriksen made it clear he wanted to leave would have been perfect replacement and possibly even better for us.
— Nathan Lord (@NathanL67927613) June 4, 2020
disappointed but not surprised
— (@TroyParrottSZN) June 4, 2020
Poch wanted them both, Levy wouldn’t splash the cash…Another example of Levy holding is back then pointing the finger at the coach for the team not performing!
— Sevilla Spurs (@sfcbdlm2) June 4, 2020
One fan suggested that his price tag was simply too high in the summer, with Manchester United eventually paying a reported £49.5 million (per Transfermarkt).
Sporting were asking silly money then. Utd paid a good price
— Spurs Fan (@5spurs) June 4, 2020
Meanwhile, some Spurs fans suggested that they would rather have Giovani Lo Celso than Fernandes anyway, although the Argentinian’s 6.48 average rating in the Premier League so far this season doesn’t really back this point up.
I’d have Lo Celso over Fernandes any day
— Gedson (@Jake08681159) June 4, 2020
Locelso is better than him
— jessie navajas (@jessienavajas2) June 4, 2020
Finally, one Spurs fan simply suggested that he was relieved that his side didn’t complete the signing of the former Sampdoria man.
thank god we didn’t sign him
— – (@aimancoys) June 4, 2020
Overall, it seems as if some Spurs fans are disappointed that they didn’t sign Fernandes, while others don’t seem too bothered that they missed out on him.