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Troy Deeney has revealed that both Arsenal and Tottenham approached him after Watford’s relegation from the Premier League in 2020.
But while none of these moves ultimately materialized, Hornets legend says The gunnersThanks to his rather bold comments in the post-match interview, the interest never went anywhere.
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Deeney eventually signed for boyhood club Birmingham City in 2021, staying there for two years before joining Forest Green Rovers, whom he later managed for six games from December 2023 to January 2024.
But before his departure from Vicarage Road, the former striker was offered a move to the Emirates and the chance to stay in the Premier League – however there was a catch.
speaking in The Filthy Fellas PodcastDeeney said: “You know I was close to buying (for Arsenal). The year I went down.
We lost at Arsenal, 3-2, Wales (Danny Welbeck) and I scored, we probably could have beaten you, it was Covid that year, behind closed doors.
We got relegated that day, it’s here at Arsenal and everyone was like, ‘Ah! And whatever, “Shut up man.”
Deeney, of course, points to when he accused Arsenal of a lack of “cajon” after Watford’s 2-1 win over the north London giants at Vicarage Road in 2017/18, causing a rift between him and Gunners fans.
He continued: After that, I went back to training, I just ride the bike because my knee is not right.
“Someone from Arsenal calls, like, ‘Oh, can you go to Arsenal?’ But what you need to do is apologize for that comment.”
“I said I wasn’t going to apologize for that.”
Tottenham They were also interested in Dini that summer, with Jose Mourinho eyeing him as back-up to striker Harry Kane.
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“I was driving to the south of France, it was still the time of Covid, you couldn’t really fly and all that,” Dini explained. And my agent calls: Watford want to get rid of you.
“I’m literally like, ‘Me!?'” Remember I drive in shorts because I can’t wear pants, my knee is big (due to an injury he was playing).
“My knee is swollen and you want to talk about getting rid of me?
“Considering I didn’t get paid for the last four months! Because I told them to keep it, make sure the staff gets paid. So now I was taking everything personally.
“Anyway, I took a week off, come back and they say, ‘Are you talking to (Jose) Mourinho at Spurs?’
“If you remember, the season ended in July and we went straight in, it was a quick turnaround. Will I speak to Mourinho? Of course I will, it’s Jose, what do you mean? Like who wouldn’t? to Mourinho.”
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And soon, Deeney found herself face-to-face with The Special One—but there was still a rift.
“He wanted me to come at Spurs, but they have that guy (Carlos) Vinicius, they’re toying with that idea,” he said.
“They asked me to have a chat with Mourinho, he wanted to know if I would come in and I would.” It was the only time I played in Europe.
“If Harry (Kane) does well I’ll be his biggest cheerleader, but if he’s not I’ll step in – and push him every day as well.
I’m nowhere near as good as Harry, I’d never say that. But there are things I do that he can’t do.
But I thought I could do that (back-up) role and they were in the Europa League or something, so I was happy to play every Thursday, it wasn’t a problem.
Troy Deeney claims Victor Giocres cannot win Arsenal or Manchester United Premier League titles because he is not a “natural finisher”.
We chatted, he said, “If I can’t get through (Winix), you’re next.” sweet.”
Of course, Spurs eventually signed Vinicius and Deeney stayed at Vicarage Road for another year, helping Watford return to the Premier League.
Who knows what would have happened if Vinicius hadn’t been available and Deeney had never said Arsene Wenger’s side had no cojones.
