Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed he was set for a move to north London rivals Tottenham on transfer deadline day in the summer.
The Japan international - who turned 23 on Friday - has impressed in his seven appearances for the Gunners following a £20million move from Bologna on the final day of the window in August.
The versatile defender signed a four-year deal at Emirates Stadium, but was also linked with a move to Spurs during the summer window before they signed Emerson Royal from Barcelona.
But Tomiyasu has now revealed he believed he would end up signing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead, only for talks to break down and him to link up with Mikel Arteta's side once the Gunners came calling.