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Champions League - Tottenham v Monaco: Midfield star Joao Moutinho admits he was close to joining Spurs four years ago

Tottenham's return to the Champions League could be undone by a player they were agonisingly close to signing four years ago.

Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho was a Porto star when former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas sanctioned a club-record £24million bid.

The agreed deal could not be completed by the transfer deadline following complications due to third-party ownership issues and AVB missed out on a player he saw as the man to replace Real Madrid bound Luka Modric.

Moutinho, despite being a member of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning squad, has failed to impress since then but still represents one of Monaco's star players.