Tottenham Eyed Thomas Meunier Before Joining PSG Last Summer

Tottenham showed some interest for Thomas Meunier following his Euro 2016 performances with Belgium.

Out of all the transfer rumors that Tottenham were involved in last summer, signing a right-back was not one of them.

Not when Kieran Trippier was already on the squad and a capable backup in his own right behind Kyle Walker.

But according to the Daily Star, Tottenham were just one club out of a handful that were targeting Club Brugge’s Thomas Meunier before he eventually signed for PSG.

Based on what was written on the article linked above and what Meunier said, Spurs had a legitimate shot to sign the Belgian international on the basis of playing in the Champions League.

"”I had a choice between six or seven clubs that were really serious with their offers,” Thomas Meunier told Telefoot (quotes provided by the Daily Star).“Most of them came from England. West Ham, Middlesbrough, there was Tottenham at one point.”“In Italy, there was Napoli, where I was truly close to signing.”“And then finally PSG entered into the race and I had a greater chance of making it in the Champions League with them than with Napoli.”"

What’s interesting to note about this whole transfer rumor is that Tottenham came into this season needing more offensive help rather than on defense.

After all, Spurs ended last season with the joint number one ranked defense along with Manchester United with 35 goals conceded.

Having signed Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld a year before, the backline wasn’t a pressing issue for Mauricio Pochettino.

Even if Meunier looked very good in the Euros back in June.

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Now, if Thomas Meunier said that Spurs showed a hint of interest at one point, it could be due to the fact that Pochettino is always looking for some more depth regardless of what he has currently available.

But because Meunier is a right-back, he wouldn’t have been a good acquisition to begin with.

Let’s look back at DeAndre Yedlin’s situation.

While he joined Spurs before Kieran Trippier signed, the American right-back wasn’t given much of a chance. Not even his versatility to either play as a right-back, wing-back or right winger/midfielder was enough to keep him around.

Should Thomas Meunier have been signed, he wouldn’t have been guaranteed playing time as he would be the third-choice right-back behind Trippier.

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At just 25, the Belgian international doesn’t foresee himself staying in the French capital for the remainder of his career. He envisions himself playing in the Premier League one day, but that won’t happen just yet.

If he should leave PSG down the road, Thomas Meunier’s dream move would be to sign for Manchester United.

That doesn’t mean that Tottenham won’t be a destination for yet another Belgian player, but they have officially ruled themselves out simply because Kyle Walker’s backup is Kieran Trippier.

And he generally does a good job whenever he earns a start in whichever competition.

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"“I’ve always said that one day, I would like to play in the Premier League,” Meunier added.“I’m very happy in Paris and if I finish my career there, it won’t be a disappointment, far from it. But, if one day, I had to leave Paris, why not?”“On the other side of the channel, there are the stadiums, the fans, and I’ve never hidden that I’m a big fan of Manchester United, which remains, in my eyes, the real reference in the world of football.”"