Report: Tottenham and Villas-Boas both had summer moves rejected for Brazilian star

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Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur, Andre Villas-Boas’ Marseille and other clubs had bids rejected for Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose in the summer – because the Brazilian wanted a permanent exit.

Jose, 28, has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League over the last few seasons as he continues to impress for Sociedad. He has scored 56 goals in 150 appearances for the La Liga side, as well as adding 14 assists.

On paper, he is the perfect Jose Mourinho striker – good in the air, strong but also solid with the ball at his feet. The report claims Spurs wanted Jose, as did Villas-Boas at Marseille. West Brom and Sevilla also made loan offers.

But Jose rejected the loan offers, as he wanted to go – but only to Tottenham and Marseille on a permanent. The report also claims Tottenham had an £18million offer rejected in January, by Sociedad.

TBR’s view – Willian Jose would have been a good signing

But a loan to Spurs seemed crucial. Tottenham have failed to provide quality back-up to Harry Kane in the past, leaving them with expensive flops on their hands. Roberto Soldado, Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente spring to mind.

The latter was slightly better, but it is clear that the club did not want to immediately commit themselvs to a big-money signing initially. It makes sense, then, that they have brought in 25-year-old Brazilian Carlos Vinicius on loan.

Jose would have been a good signing for Spurs given he has proven time after time he is a good player for Sociedad – but Vinicius is even better.