Tottenham were inches away from signing me, reveals Kevin Mirallas
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Former Everton star Kevin Mirallas has revealed that Tottenham were very close to signing him in the 2015 January window. The Belgian international is now playing for Royal Antwerp after a successful spell at Everton, which included loan spells in Greece and Italy, before he left for Belgium.
The now 32-year-old had hit an incredible vein of form in the first part of the 2014/15 season which saw the Belgian winger heavily linked with a move away. Things became so intense at one stage that reports indicated that Everton was considering selling the Belgian international with Atletico Madrid and a few sides from the Serie A keen on a move. However, Mirallas has now revealed that Tottenham was also in the race.
In an interview, the 32-year-old went on to admit that while he did not want to leave Everton in January, Tottenhamâs persistence saw him eventually consider the move as he believed that the North London side were just what he needed then. But the Belgian also added that Everton refused to give him a new deal to make him stay and did not let him leave the club either as they were not happy with the deal.
âI scored a lot of goals in the first part of the season and in January, my agent called to tell me a lot of teams were interested. I told him I didnât want to go in January as it was better to finish the new season, but he kept calling me to say that Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino wanted me at Tottenham. But he called me again one day and said, âTottenham want you, right now.â I had two years left on my contract and Everton didnât want me to leave but also wouldnât give me a new contract,â he tells The Athletic.
"My agent suggested Everton give me a new contract if I said no, but when I did that, they didnât give me a new contract. Afterwards, Tottenham kept pushing, so I spoke to Levy and Pochettino. I thought it was a good opportunity because Tottenham was doing well, so I pushed to leave. They offered a lot of money to Everton, plus a player, but they rejected it because they thought the player they offered, Aaron Lennon was not the same type of player as me.â
The Toffees have struggled to find their rhythm this season and sit in the Premier Leagueâs relegation zone after just eight games. Thatâs despite all the new additions and manager Marco Silvaâs credential which has shocked Mirallas. Despite his acrimonious exit from Goodison Park the 32-year-old went on to admit that he still watches the club and hopes they find their way back.
âYes, because I know the quality of the players and team. But also, they have played against strong teams. They werenât easy games. I hope they start to win games because the team is good and has some good players. Itâs also not easy when you change a lot of players every season. You need time. I donât know if it would be a good thing (if Moyes came back) but I do know him and, for sure, heâd do a decent job,â concluded the Belgian.
