Manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur watches from the sidelines during an exhibition football match against West Ham at Optus Stadium in Perth on July 18, 2023. (Photo by TREVOR COLLENS / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by TREVOR COLLENS/AFP via Getty Images)
According to BBC Sport, Tottenham missed out on Ansu Fati this summer despite Ange Postecoglou calling the forward to encourage him to join the North London club. Despite a “long chat,” Postecoglou was unable to convince the forward to join Spurs.
Tottenham completed a deadline-day deal for Brennan Johnson, who was reportedly Postecoglou’s top offensive target at the time. However, up until 24 hours before the transfer deadline, there were reports that Spurs were interested in signing Fati instead of the Wales international (Sky Sports), but the Barcelona star eventually ended up joining Brighton on a season-long loan.
The 20-year-old felt he was on his way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until a few days before the transfer market closed, according to The Athletic, but in the end, his head was changed by the Brighton project.
Postecoglou attempted to persuade Fati but was unsuccessful
According to BBC Sport, Spurs were in pole position to sign Fati, and the player even had a ‘long chat’ with Postecoglou. They claim that Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi’s persuasive skills persuaded the Barcelona academy graduate to transfer to the South Coast instead.
Tottenham would have pushed for Fati before Johnson if Barcelona had been willing to sell him permanently or include a permanent option in the loan deal. I doubt Spurs would have been interested in a direct loan deal, which appears to be the only option the Catalan club was considering.
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