Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how he nearly joined Tottenham Hotspur before eventually signing for Liverpool.
As reported on the Liverpool Echo, the Dutch international admitted that he held positive talks with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino after Newcastle United were relegated from the Premier League in 2016.
The midfielder was wanted by a few clubs but he eventually decided to join Liverpool because of the positive conversations that he had with Jurgen Klopp.
He said:
I had a really good conversation with Pochettino. But we didn’t come to an agreement. Not just me – Newcastle also didn’t come to an agreement with Tottenham.
When I spoke with Jurgen he made me feel really good. He gave me a lot of confidence because he said he liked my way of playing football.
Three days after our meeting they had reached a deal and I didn’t think twice.
This is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I wanted to make the transfer and I’m happy that I did.
Wijnaldum scored for Liverpool against Spurs earlier this season to help the Reds to victory at Wembley in the Premier League.
Wijnaldum has put in several impressive performances this season and has seen his role change over the last few years.
He joined the club as an attacking midfielder but is now deployed by Klopp as a more defensive midfield player, a role that he is thriving in.
The midfielder believes that his versatility in midfield has meant that Klopp continues to use him, despite making several key additions to his midfield department.
