Iliman Ndiaye has explained why he turned down Tottenham to join Manchester City by saying his determination to play Champions League football counted against Spurs.
The Senegalese winger completed a £60m move from Everton to City on deadline day but only after Tottenham were the first to bid for him.
Spurs were discussing a £60m move for Ndiaye – with Richarlison returning to Everton for £35m in a separate deal – but as soon as City showed an interest, the former Sheffield United player decided not to join a club that finished 17th in each of the last two seasons.
“For me it was always going to be City,” he said. “I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. I’m not saying Tottenham is not, but when Manchester City comes through, you don’t say no.
“This is where I think I belong. I’ve worked hard to get to this point. When I was speaking with my wife, I was telling her if I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League.”
Ndiaye spoke to City manager Enzo Maresca before making the move, adding: “He’s someone that admired me and as soon as they came through I had only one direction where I wanted to go.”
Ndiaye made his City debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Coventry, and while he came off in the closing stages, he allayed fears he was injured by saying it was cramp.