Tottenham had the chance to sign a £71m-rated player on transfer deadline day, claims Fabrizio Romano.
While Spurs were not actively making moves on 2 February, they did have an agent offer his client to them on loan.
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Thomas Frank wanted the Tottenham hierarchy to strengthen the side in the January transfer window, and they obliged by making two signings.
Conor Gallagher joined from Atletico Madrid, while they also signed 19-year-old left-back Souza from Atletico Madrid.
Jhon Duran has had an eventful career in recent years, and that appears to be the trajectory for him in the next few months as well.
He began his career at Envigado in Colombia before moving to MLS outfit Chicago Fire at the age of 18.
The Colombian then moved to Aston Villa for £14m and even scored the club’s goal of the season in his first campaign at Villa Park.
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In January 2025, Saudi Arabia came calling, and Al Nassr secured his services for a staggering £71m fee.
Six months later, he was loaned out to Fenerbahce and has even struggled to adapt there.
Romano claims that due to his struggles, he had been offered to Spurs on transfer deadline day, but the club opted against securing his services.
Due to this, he is expected to move to Zenit, who are currently second in the Russian Super League.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “And then offered to Tottenham. Jhon Duran had the possibility to go to Tottenham on deadline day. Offered to Tottenham on loan but Tottenham decided against this move.
“Tottenham decided not to go for Jhon Duran to stay with the current squad.”
Did Spurs make a mistake by not signing Duran?
Duran’s moves after his Villa exit have not panned out, but he cannot be entirely faulted for that.
At Al-Nassr, everything seems to happen based on what Cristiano Ronaldo wants, so there is no real cohesive plan for the longer term.
Jose Mourinho wanted him at Fenerbahce, but was sacked just a month after Duran made his debut, making it difficult for the Colombia international to adapt.
Spurs could have done with a player like the 22-year-old, at least until the end of the season.
He is Premier League proven, versatile and capable of scoring important goals when his team needs him to deliver.
Duran has 12 goals and an assist to his name in the English top flight in 55 games, with a lot of those appearances coming off the bench.
On loan, he would have been a low-risk, high-reward signing for Tottenham, and they may regret not signing him on transfer deadline day.