Steve Bruce has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy ‘badgered’ him about signing one player six years ago.
Tottenham have missed out on some pretty high-profile signings during Daniel Levy’s spell as chairman of the club.
In recent years, Spurs opted against a move for Bruno Fernandes, with the midfielder completing a move to Manchester United from Sporting CP back in January 2020.
Of course, there are plenty of other names that spring to mind, with Willian opting for a switch to Chelsea over Spurs in 2013 and Sadio Mane also being snapped up by Liverpool despite interest from then Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at the time.
These players went on to excel in the Premier League, much to the despair of Tottenham supporters.
Another current star who certainly falls into that category is Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.
The Englishman completed a switch to the Etihad Stadium for a British record fee of £100 million back in 2021.
It’s no secret that Spurs were in for Grealish three years previous but a move ultimately fell through after new owners came in at Villa.
Now, Steve Bruce, who was managing Villa at the time, has shared some extra details on Tottenham’s interest in Grealish.
Bruce says Tottenham were desperate to sign Grealish
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Bruce claimed that Levy was calling him about Grealish every day during the summer of 2018.
“One of the best things I did in management was not sell him to Tottenham for £8 million,” Bruce said of Grealish. “Daniel Levy badgered me every day on holiday to sell him when Aston Villa weren’t the best in finances.”
The former Villa boss was then asked why the Spurs chairman was calling him.
“I was the only one left, if you remember when Keith Wyness unfortunately left and the club was in a bit of chaos until the new people came in,” he said.
“But I think Mr Levy in his own great way was trying to get a bargain and we did all we could to not sell him to Tottenham for £8 million.”
Bruce added: “I think he accepted it and then the new people came in and the first thing they did was offer Jack a new contract, which he thoroughly deserved.
“The rest is history from then. Also, I have to say he was a huge Aston Villa fan and enjoyed playing for the club and enjoyed being the star man, which he undoubtedly was.”
Tottenham will rue missing out on Grealish
Grealish has gone on to scoop a treble with City following his switch from Villa after excelling at his boyhood club.
Tottenham did up their offer for the winger significantly back in 2018 though, with Villa turning down a £25 million bid for the forward.
But after the club came under new ownership, the Englishman was simply unavailable at any price.
It turned out to be a stroke of genius from the Midlands club as they quadrupled the money they would have made just three years later.
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