Tottenham transfers: Joao Moutinho was ‘flattered’ by Spurs interest

Joao Moutinho admits he was flattered by Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in bringing him to White Hart Lane but insists he is now focused on Porto after a deal failed to materialise.

The 22-year-old Portugal international was heavily linked with a move to north London all summer, and it is understood that Spurs had a £22m bid accepted by Porto late on in the transfer window.

But the midfielder failed to agree personal terms with the London club and the deal fell through before the transfer window closed.

Moutinho insists he is now focused on performing for Porto but admits he would have loved to have worked under Andre Villas-Boas, who he views as one of the best coaches in Europe.

“The transfer window is closed but now I am focused on Porto and prefer not to talk about something which may or may not happen,” said Moutinho.

“Tottenham is not in my head now, although I was flattered by the interest, especially by the coach. Andre Villas-Boas is one of the best coaches in Europe today.”

Villas-Boas had previously claimed that Moutinho was out of Tottenham’s price range because of the midfielder’s €40m release clause in his contract.

“It’s an impossible deal for the club,” Villas-Boas said last month. “You have to bear in mind that this is a player with a €40m release clause.

“This volume of money is out of Tottenham’s possibility.

“Bearing in mind that this is a key player for club and country, you wouldn’t say that you would get him at half the price and half the price is already bigger than Tottenham’s record fee.”

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Read more on: André Villas-Boas, Football transfers, Joao Moutinho, porto, Tottenham Hotspur.