Thomas Frank spoke honestly on Tottenham's transfer plans which included revealing their stance on Antoine Semenyo
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has confirmed the club tried to sign Antoine Semenyo. The winger was linked with a move to Spurs in the summer and during the January transfer window before he ultimately left Bournemouth to join Manchester City.
Several Premier League clubs were interested in the Ghana international, who had a £65million release clause in his contract, though City managed to pay just under that through favourable instalments.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool were all linked with Spurs also wanting to sign him, as now revealed by Frank.
He said: "The club are working relentlessly to do what they can to improve the squad, especially Johan, Fabio and Vinai and all those behind them. We can't be obsessed with a short term fix as we cannot limit what we do in the future.
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"I can promise the Lewis family are super committed and there is no doubt the club is clear, I will break a rule, we wanted to sign Semenyo. That is a big signing with finances and all that. It is aligned and they are the quality players we’re looking for to improve the squad."
Speaking on transfers, he later added: "The fans just want the best for the club like I do, the owners and everyone in the club. It's fair to say though that the transfer window is not like Football Manager. Maybe it would be more boring if it was with less to talk about."
The Lilywhites have already signed Conor Gallagher and Brazilian defender Souza this month while also sanctioning Brennan Johnson's move to Crystal Palace.
A number of loan changes have also been made with Spurs still in the market for more additions. Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Raheem Sterling are not targets though, football.london understands.
Further incomings are being targeted with injury problems a constant thorn in Frank's side. Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus have all picked up issues in recent weeks.
Micky van de Ven missed the victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, though Frank admitted he hopes to have him back for the visit of Manchester City.
That scenario playing out looks to have decreased though following his less than positive update on the Netherlands international.
He said: "Micky is a minor one. It will be touch and go. He was on the pitch yesterday and today but he's touch and go."
Frank will hope to have him available on Sunday afternoon at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium given the task that awaits with the Dane fully aware of the quality Semenyo possesses.