According to La Repubblica (as relayed by Calcio Napoli 24), Tanguy Ndombele turned down a move to Genoa in the dying stages of the transfer window since the Italian club could not offer him Champions League football.
Even though Spurs did not manage to offload Ndombele before the European transfer window closed, they managed to do so last week since Turkish clubs were allowed to sign players for a while longer.
The Frenchman ended up joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal with the Istanbul side having the option to make the deal permanent for £13m.
(Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Tanguy Ndombele rejected a late move to Genoa
La Repubblica have now explained the circumstances of Genoa’s failed late bid for Ndombele, revealing that the Serie A side were ‘one step away’ from landing the 26-year-old.
It is explained that the club first enquired about Pape Sarr but after Spurs told them that the Senegalese starlet was not for sale, they started conversations over the former Lyon man.
The report alleges that Genoa even had a private plane ready to bring Ndombele to Italy as soon as possible so that the deal could be completed before the deadline.
However, the publication asserts that the Spurs star cancelled the deal ‘at the last minute’, telling the Rossoblu: “You are a newly promoted club, I want to make the Champions League.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Ndombele appears to have got his wish as Galatasaray have made it to the group stages of the Champions League. However, with Bayern and Man Utd in their group, the on-loan Tottenham man is only likely to play a few games in the competition.
I personally feel that joining Genoa and performing in the Serie A consistently would have done a lot more for the Frenchman’s career as it would brought him to the attention of some top clubs.
Have something to tell us about this article?
