With Mauricio Pochettino spending his Deadline Day on holiday, the likelihood of Spurs making an impact looked remote as the clock ticked away.
Yet, as is so often the way, the Lilywhites grabbed the headlines with their last-minute capture of Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle.
Pochettino had been linked with a number of midfield targets, including Morgan Schneiderlin, but it was the temperamental Magpies star who eventually arrived in North London after talks with Everton.
Unsurprisingly, the Frenchman’s £30million price tag raised a few eyebrows, with Tottenham scrapping their policy of refusing to pay more than £20million for players over 25.
The 27-year-old has a lot to prove, particularly to those disconcerted fans who were quick to point out that he’s an Arsenal fan.
Needless to say, the Sissoko announcement was greeted by a pretty mixed reaction.
Pochettino: 'Yes get me Isco'
Levy: 'Sissoko?! Consider it done!'
— ㅤ (@Youngerweireld) August 31, 2016
Sissoko in June: “I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart…the beautiful Arsenal.”
August 31: Sissoko joins Spurs.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 31, 2016
Tottenham deemed £25m for Wijnaldum (25) too much earlier in window and then spend £30m on Sissoko (27) at the last minute. Levy logic.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 1, 2016
@SpursOfficial terminate his contract
— Jamie♦️ (@bxstock) August 31, 2016
#ThatMomentWhen Rafa Benitez got the phone call from Spurs offering £30m for Moussa Sissoko.https://t.co/9hy4witkKG
— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) September 1, 2016
It wasn’t just Spurs fans either who were a little taken aback by the deal, with Everton also getting plenty of stick having thought they’d signed him – only for Sissoko to turn his phone off so they couldn’t reach him for a medical.
£30 million. Really?!https://t.co/5uALYCs9qK
— BigSport (@BigSportGB) September 1, 2016
When Everton said they had 100 million to spend 😂 pic.twitter.com/EKdmA4TCmE
— Scotty T MBE (@ScottGShore) August 31, 2016
Must be gutting for Koeman when Sissoko said he'll sign a deal at your club, before receiving a bigger financial offer from elsewhere…
— St. Mary's Musings (@StMarysMusings) August 31, 2016
Everton trying to sign Sissoko https://t.co/5QAR6EX9uh
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 31, 2016
*Sissoko running back down the M1 for champions league football* pic.twitter.com/rucPDasfFq
— George (@georgebutcher97) August 31, 2016
If he can rediscover his best form, then Spurs are in for a treat. Judging by the reaction, though, he’s going to have his work cut out to win White Hart Lane over.
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