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‘New Yaya Toure’ rejected Tottenham deal, hasn’t started a single game since snubbing Paratici

Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
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Moriba Leipzig Tottenham Valencia
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Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign Ilaix Moriba over the summer, but he chose a move to RB Leipzig – and he is still awaiting a first start.

Tottenham snapped up defender Emerson from Barcelona before the transfer deadline, but it could have been a double raid on the Catalan giants.

Fabio Paratici also wanted to sign midfielder Ilaix Moriba, who was rejecting a new deal at Barcelona.

Branded ‘the new Yaya Toure’, Moriba is seen as a massive talent for the future.

As noted by Sky Germany, Moriba rejected a move to Tottenham in favour of joining RB Leipzig.

Tottenham ended up signing Pape Matar Sarr from Metz, loaning him back to France before starting his Spurs career next summer.

How is Moriba faring since leaving Tottenham?

Moriba is only 18, but seemingly picked Leipzig to further his first-team aspirations.

So far though, Moriba hasn’t started a single game for Leipzig.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 19: Ilaix Moriba of RB Leipzig and Danilo Pereira of Paris Saint Germain during the Group A - UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig at the Parc des Princes on October 19, 2021 in Paris, France (Photo by Herman Dingler/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Photo by Herman Dingler/BSR Agency/Getty Images

The teenager has sat on the bench in four games and played just 39 minutes across two substitute appearances.

The big breakout hasn’t happened for Moriba at Leipzig just yet, but could it have happened at Tottenham?

Nuno Espirito Santo has tinkered with his midfield, and it’s reasonable to think Moriba would have had a Tottenham chance.

This is a long-term thing for Moriba, so the success of his move can’t be judged just yet, but it’s been a slow start since rejecting Tottenham.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 19: Marco Verratti of Paris Saint Germain and Ilaix Moriba of RB Leipzig during the Group A - UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig at the Parc des Princes on October 19, 2021 in Paris, France (Photo by Herman Dingler/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Photo by Herman Dingler/BSR Agency/Getty Images