Tottenham signed a player they believe can become a star in 20-year-old Japan international Kota Takai and they saw off competition from other clubs to sign him.
Spurs completed the £5million signing of the centre-back from Kawasaki Frontale this month and the young defender received his work permit last week. A knock in training meant Takai missed Thomas Frank's first match on Saturday as Tottenham beat League One side Reading 2-0 in their opening friendly of pre-season.
Now the manager of one of the clubs also looking to sign the Japanese centre-back, FC Copenhagen Jacob Neestrup, has spoken about his side missing out on the player because of Tottenham's approach. The Dane was a guest on podcast Vores Liga and Campo.dk have reported his comments, as translated by Sport Witness.
"I can also say that we looked at Kota Takai, who is at Tottenham now," he said. "He was also a player we had a good look at, but we did not succeed in getting him to Copenhagen. But at least they are some talented players."
The 6ft 3ins Takai played 81 times for Kawasaki, with 57 of those games coming in the J.League and he played a big role in his club winning the Japanese Super Cup last year and was duly named the J.League's Young Player of the Year.
Takai has also got plenty of experience in the AFC Champions League as an integral part of the Kawasaki side that reached the final last month. He made his Japan senior debut just after his 20th birthday and has appeared in four World Cup qualifiers so far.
It would have been more but for an adductor injury suffered in October last year and it's worth noting that many in the Japan squad ply their trade in European football.
Now Takai will be looking to make an impact in the Premier League with Tottenham and first he must earn a place in Frank's team.