For weeks it has seemed like Chelsea would seal a transfer for RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons, but Tottenham have now appeared to hijack that deal and secure the Dutchman’s signature.
Widespread reports on Friday say Spurs have pinched Simons from underneath Chelsea noses, only one week after Arsenal swooped in late to sign Eberechi Eze when he was bound for Tottenham.
Late twists in transfer sagas are nothing new, especially towards the end of the transfer window as clubs scramble to finalise their summer plans.
Xavi Simons celebrates during Bundesliga for RB Leipzig.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
One such move occurred 12 years ago when Tottenham thought they had signed Anzhi Makhachkala’s Brazilian winger Willian, even scheduling a medical and getting the target to their training ground.
How Chelsea hijacked Tottenham medical for Willian, Jose Mourinho played key role
With Tottenham close to a deal for Willian, seemingly beating Liverpool to his signature, they arranged for the then 25-year-old winger to be at their training ground for a medical.
Reflecting on the move in 2018, Willian told Brazilian TV (via TNT) that his preference was to join Chelsea, so when his agent called him on arrival at Tottenham, he was delighted to learn of an offer from the Blues.
“I said ‘So make do, I’ll get back in the van, you’ll make do and I’ll go to Chelsea, I will not sign with Tottenham,'” Willian reflected.
“I stayed there for eight hours in the training centre. Tottenham’s director said ‘I’m going to report you to FIFA, this and that, fans here in England will boo you, this and that.’ They made up a lot of things.
Chelsea FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“I got stuck there for eight hours. Then I left and I went straight to meet the Chelsea people to sort the details and sign.”
Willian got his wish and signed for Chelsea, naming the chance to work under Jose Mourinho as a major factor in his move.
When asked about the hijacked move from under Tottenham’s nose, Mourinho stirred the pot further with a cheeky reply. He said: “That’s the danger of medicals before contracts,” with a smile.
Tottenham rejected chance to sign Willian when Jose Mourinho was in charge, so he joined rivals Arsenal instead
Willian justified his move to Chelsea with an impressive spell at Stamford Bridge, and gave Tottenham fans more reason to dislike him when he joined Arsenal in 2020.
However, Spurs declined the chance to enter the race for Willian that time, even with Mourinho now in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Games Goals Assists Trophies
Chelsea 339 63 58 5
Arsenal 37 1 7 0
Fulham 79 10 7 0
Willian record in England. (Source: Transfermarkt)
Explaining his stance, Mourinho said at the time: “We don’t have money for Willian. We cannot pay the wages that he gets at Arsenal so I didn’t want to waste our time because we cannot pay these wages.
“He is still dangerous, he is still one of the best players in the Premier League. Apart from that, he is a good friend. I have nothing to hide in relation to that. We keep in touch, we keep in contact, we call each other.
So 12 years after losing out to Chelsea when they thought a deal was done for an exciting winger, there may be some satisfaction at Tottenham that they are about to return the favour with Xavi Simons.