The 25-year-old claims he turned down the chance to move to White Hart Lane
Rode (R) struggled for game time at Bayern Munich
New Borussia Dortmund signing Sebastian Rode has Bild he listened to an offer from Tottenham Hotspur this summer but turned it down in favour of a move to Signal Iduna Park.
Rode became the latest player to link up with Dortmund this summer, replacing Ilkay Gundogan who was sold to Manchester City last week.
Die Welt reported last month that Spurs were interested in Rode, and the former Bayern Munich midfielder confirmed he did receive an approach from White Hart Lane.
“Yes, that’s true,” Rode, a boyhood Dortmund supporter, told Bild. “And I listened to it, but again: the transfer to BVB was a matter of the heart”
And the 25-year-old cited Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel as one of the main factors in his decision.
Rode wanted to play for Tuchel (pictured)
“I had very, very convincing talk with Tuchel before my signature,” he added. “My decision that it can only be Dortmund was certain after that.”
As reported by the Telegraph last month, Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to listen to offers for Tottenham midfielders Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb, while another, Tom Carroll, is out of contract this summer.
Mason is one of several midfielders who could depart White Hart Lane, a report claims
Should the trio depart, Spurs would be left with only Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele as senior players in Rode’s position, making additions there likely.
The north Londoners are yet to make any new signings since qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
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