Postecoglou: Tel didn’t reject Tottenham

There is a trending rumour that Tel rejected Tottenham. Last week, there were reports that the 19-year-old attacker refused to move to Tottenham Hotspur even after meeting chairman Daniel Levy in Germany.

But Tel was seen flying to London on Monday before completing a transfer deadline-day move from Bayern Munich; he will join initially on loan, but Spurs are holding a £47.5m option to buy in the summer transfer window.

When asked about whether Tel rejected Spurs, Postecoglou said, “I think people need to understand that you are talking about a 19-year-old who has to make a major decision for his career and it’s not that he rejected us or rejected anyone else.

“I think he just wanted to be comfortable with his decision. I don’t think he wanted to be pushed in a certain direction, and it’s a credit to him.”I had a conversation with him, and it was purely around the football, and I think he’ll find a really good place for him here.

“Postecoglou has initially said he only wants to sign players who are committed to the club’s project, despite them currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table. When asked if he felt Tel would be committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said, “Yes, 100%. I am more than 100% sure because he took so much time and was so diligent about finding out everything. He had other options, so it gave me more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.

“He is very ambitious. He has great self-belief and confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game, and he has chosen us, which is a great vindication of what we are doing.”

Tel could have his debut match as Spurs defend a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night in the second leg of the Carabao Cup. Postecoglou confirmed Tel and new defensive signing Kevin Danso will be available for selection but key defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero won’t be available.

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Spurs will play away to Liverpool in the second leg of the League Cup after winning one-nil in the first leg.