IT’S KEVIN AND HELL
ALL THE MOVES Mauricio has a mixed day
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MAURICIO POCHETTINO had to endure a frustrating transfer deadline day – despite finally wrapping up the £11m signing of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou.
The 21-year-old forward, whose transfer from Marseille was agreed in principle weeks ago, signed a five-year contract with Spurs last night.
White Hart Lane flop Clinton N’Jie, a summer signing from Lyon 12 months ago, will join the French club on loan for the season as part of the deal.
But the north London club did not get close to pulling off a cut-price deal to sign Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle.
It is understood Spurs made a final offer worth just over £20m but never got close to the player’s full asking price.
That did not go down well at St James’ Park and Sissoko was not the only player Spurs ended up missing out on.
Pursuit
Reports had claimed that Real Madrid star Isco was close to a move to White Hart Lane before deciding to stay in Spain and fight for his place at the Bernabeu.
And Tottenham were also forced to abandon their pursuit of Wilfried Zaha after Crystal Palace ridiculed a bid of £12m for the winger.
There was better news for Pochettino just hours before the window closed, though, as he agreed a loan deal for Espanyol keeper Pau Lopez.
New recruit Nkoudou, who first came to Tottenham’s attention when they were scouting his Marseille team-mate Michy Batshuayi, said: “Everybody knows I’m fast. I like to dribble around players.
“I can’t wait to get to know the Premier League. It suits my playing style as it is explosive.”
N’Jie, 22, made just eight appearances for Spurs in the Premier League last season, all from the bench.
His loan deal contains an option for Marseille to make it permanent should he impress in Ligue 1.