Tottenham Hotspur target Arslan almost signed for West Ham, denied in cruel circumstances

Injury prevented West Ham from signing Tolgay Arslan… who could now be set to sign for Tottenham.

Besiktas' Turkish midfielder Tolgay Arslan (L) vies with Monaco's Brazilian defender Fabinho during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between Besiktas and Monaco on November...

Tottenham Hotspur are linked with making a January move for midfielder Tolgay Arslan.

Turkish outlet Fotomac report Spurs are eyeing the Besiktas star for a potential mid-season switch.

Arslan, 28, is a player who has been linked to the Premier League before, and came close to a move to West Ham two seasons ago when he was at Hamburg.

Hamburg's Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Hamburg's Turkish midfielder Tolgay Arslan react during a free kick during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC...

German newspaper BILD reported that West Ham had approved a bid for Arslan and were ready to pay up for him, until disaster struck.

Mid-negotiations, Arslan suffered a cruciate knee ligaments injury and a potential deal was immediately scuppered.

West Ham went on to sign Alex Song instead and upon recovery Arslan went on to sign for Besiktas instead.

Brugge's Israeli midfielder Lior Refaelov (R) challenges Besiktas' German midfielder Tolgay Arslan during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 football match between Club Brugge and Besiktas...