Leicester City defender Wout Faes has admitted there we ‘discussions’ about a potential transfer amid links to Tottenham Hotspur.
Wout Faes has admitted receiving some interest but was happy to stay put with Leicester City.
Faes is currently on international duty with Belgium and featured in Saturday’s rather unconvincing 1-0 win over Azerbaijan.
The former Anderlecht talent is looking to prove himself as a starting centre back for Belgium ahead of Euro 2024.
Faes could have pushed for a summer exit after Leicester’s relegation with his Euro 2024 dreams on the line.
However, Faes has told Humo – as quoted and translated by Sport Witness – that joining a Premier League club just to sit on the bench wouldn’t have done him any good.
Faes admitted there were ‘discussions’ about a potential move away over the summer but he is happy to test himself in the Championship.
“There have been discussions,” said Faes. “But there was also no point in choosing a club where I would sit on the bench. That would have been detrimental to my position with the national team.
“We are playing for the title. Is it better to chase an elusive ball in the Premier League for an entire season? The level in the Championship is also not nothing. In England they call it the most difficult competition in the world,” he added.
Tottenham Hotspur wanted Wout Faes
These comments from Faes may leave some believing that he is talking about Tottenham Hotspur.
Links with a move to Spurs started late in August as reporter Ben Jacobs told Last Word on Spurs that Tottenham had internally discussed making a move for Faes.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri added just ahead of deadline day that Tottenham were targeting Faes to replace Eric Dier – if he moved on.
Dier ended up staying though, meaning there was no late bid from Tottenham for Faes.
The Leicester man seemingly knew of the interest though and his comments suggest that a move to Spurs wouldn’t have been nailed-on even if they agreed a deal.
Faes to Spurs may be back on the radar in January
Spurs may well be back in the market for another defender in January.
Dier clearly isn’t wanted at Tottenham and he will surely consider moving on in January if he is still frozen out under Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs have just let Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga go, so a centre back will surely be needed come January.
Tottenham are set to sign Hajduk Split talent Luka Vuskovic but he only arrives in 2025.
Adding somebody a little more experienced than Alfie Dorrington and Ashley Phillips would be welcome and 25-year-old Faes – joined Leicester in a deal worth around £15million – may still be a target for Tottenham come 2024.
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