‘No, I don’t want to go to Tottenham’ – Former Chelsea and Arsenal star opens up on infamous collapsed transfer from summer 2013

Former Chelsea and Fulham winger Willian has detailed his famous collapsed permanent transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013. Leaving Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the Brazilian had agreed to join Tottenham to live in London despite preferring Chelsea. However, while traveling by car to complete his medical and sign his contract at Hotspur Way, Willian had a change of heart and told himself he wanted to join Chelsea instead.

His last-minute reluctance allowed Chelsea to intervene swiftly and complete the high-profile hijack. Tottenham, who were managed by Andre Villas-Boas at the time and rebuilding following Gareth Bale's sale to Real Madrid, missed out on the attacker. The article notes Spurs have since revised their transfer protocols under technical director Johan Lange.