Moussa Sissoko thought he was heading to Italy before ultimately signing for Tottenham Hotspur, according to goalkeeper Tim Krul.
The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle United during the summer and although he was linked with the likes of Everton, Inter and Juventus, he eventually sealed a £30m deal making him the latest player in the Mauricio Pochettino Spurs revolution.
He told Ajax TV via "?Voetbal Primeur: "He thought himself that he would go to Italy, that is what he told me only last week."?
Tim Krul says Moussa Sissoko thought he was heading to Italy, before Spurs swoop: Tottenham Hotspur com... https://t.co/Ecg8UOHN5U #nufc
Juventus and Inter were reportedly both interested in taking Sissoko to Italy, but his substantial transfer fee was a decisive stumbling block. Sissoko is expected to make his Spurs debut against Stoke City next weekend.
Meanwhile, Sissoko's compatriot Olivier Giroud revealed he tried to persuade the midfielder to sign for the Gunners before he moved to White Hart Lane.
"I told him to give Arsenal the priority. It's true it was special denouement. Until the end he didn't know what he'll do," Giroud said in quotes reported by Le10 Sport.
Giroud: I tried to convince Sissoko to join Arsenal https://t.co/GtHNNV61pG pic.twitter.com/gzjEU9TJgv
"It's good for him. I think it was quite a long month for him so it's good that something could have happened even in the very last moments. It's great for him.
"Tottenham is a great team in our league. Obviously we all wanted for him after his good Euro and great performances, that he joins a premier League club. In the Premier League Tottenham are an opponent for the trophy this year. I hope he will not be in good conditions against us."
Moussa Sissoko's Spurs arrival raises questions about Christian Eriksen (@Dan_KP). https://t.co/2E1Li9rHZ0 pic.twitter.com/LgyqEGjoQg