Tottenham were close to signing £65m star after Mourinho convinced him to join, Romano claims

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Fabrizio Romano has told the Here We Go podcast that Ruben Dias was really close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, before he made the move to Manchester City.

Tottenham had been linked with Dias for much of the summer, with the ex-Benfica central defender thought to be on Jose Mourinho’s wishlist.

Mourinho had apparently gone as far as convincing Dias to join Spurs.

But, at the end of the transfer window, the Portuguese central defender ended up not being Tottenham’s first choice option to sign.

And Dias ultimately joined Manchester City for £65 million (Sky Sports).

“He was really close to joining Tottenham, but he was not the first choice. Mourinho had contact with him and had convinced him to come,” Romano said.

“Ruben Dias was really ready to join Tottenham, he had personal terms agreed, if Tottenham had found agreement with Benfica Ruben Dias was Tottenham player.”

Tottenham’s first choice defensive target now appears to have been unveiled as Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan.

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported how Tottenham have held talks of signing Skriniar, and they may be under more pressure to get a deal finalised, now that any potential move for Dias has been blocked, following City’s move for him.