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Takehiro Tomiyasu: Arsenal defender thought he was signing for Tottenham on transfer deadline day
New Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu nearly ended up joining North London rivals Tottenham on transfer deadline day.
Both clubs were looking for fresh right-backs in the summer, the Gunners having moved on Hector Bellerin while Spurs had let Serge Aurier go.
After two strong seasons with Serie A side Bologna, the 22-year-old was a hot property and ended up signing for Arsenal at a fee of £16million.
But that was not before Tottenham made their play, Tomiyasu admitting on Thursday that he expected to complete the move to the white half of North London - while hinting that he preferred a move to Emirates Stadium all along.
“I thought I wasn’t able to join Arsenal,” he told DAZN Japan.
“I thought I was going to Spurs. On deadline day, the move broke down. Arsenal asked me to join them and I did immediately.”
Tottenham did sign a new right-back of their own that same day, paying Barcelona around £25m for Emerson Royal.
The two teams are separated by just two points in the Premier League table, with Arsenal ahead in sixth having gone undefeated in all seven of Tomiyasu’s appearances for the club.
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