Ranking The 30 Tottenham Transfers in the Daniel Levy Era
By Ryan Wrenn
#2 Best Transfer Rumor: Willian, Attacking Midfielder
Rumored transfer fee: £30 million
Former club: Anzhi Mahkachkala (Russian Premier League)
Current club: Chelsea (Premier League)
Current club stats: 115 appearances, 15 goals, 16 assists (in all competitions)
Following Gareth Bale’s sale in the summer 2013, Tottenham were linked with no shortage of players in just about every position on the pitch. We all know the laundry list of mostly failed players that came in with the Bale money, though few might know just how close Tottenham came to adding on a current Premier League star.
Willian had first caught the attention of Europe’s powerhouse clubs after a string of wonderful performances for perennial Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, though ended up being among the small handful of talented players attracted in the early ’10s to the money of the then-wealthy Russian club Anzhi. He didn’t stay there long before rumors again began to circulate in regard to his next destination.
Tottenham aggressively pursued the Brazilian, even agreeing to a fee and personal terms in the summer of 2013. All that was left was to conduct a medical, and he was due to be unveiled. Unfortunately, somewhere in the interim Chelsea got a hold of Willian. They offered more money on better terms because, of course, they’re Chelsea and they can do that kind of thing. Willian abandoned his agreement with Tottenham and moved to the other side of London.
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