RADU DRAGUSIN left his agent in disbelief after rejecting more money at Bayern Munich in order to join Tottenham.
The Romanian defender is set to sign for Spurs for £21.5million plus add-ons after the club agreed on a deal with Serie A outfit Genoa.
Dragusin, 21, will become Tottenham’s second signing of the month as he follows former Chelsea striker Timo Werner through the door in North London.
Spurs outcast Djed Spence will move the other way as he will join Genoa on loan for the remainder of the season.
However, the move almost fell through as Bundesliga giants made a late move to hijack the deal.
Dragusin’s agent, Florin Manea, has admitted that the offer from the German side came while they were on the way to the airport.
He told Romanian news outlet GSP: “We stopped dead. We were on our way to the airport. I said we have to think carefully and evaluate.
“Bayern are one of the biggest clubs. I can’t believe I turned Bayern down! But that’s the decision.
“I took it with Radu and his family. I informed Bayern that this was the decision, that they came in at the last minute and that it was difficult to change our decision.
“Maybe in the future, we will get there. We are a little overwhelmed.
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“To turn down Bayern… But it was ultimately what Radu and his family wanted.
“He is happy. We’re going to Tottenham.”
Manea admitted that Bayern made a substantial offer to Dragusin but his mind was already made up.
The agent insisted that the defender chose Tottenham over Bayern to better his career despite being offered “more money” in Germany.
Manea added: “I made the decision in the morning. It’s hard to make such a choice. Bayern strongly wanted him, but the official offer came on the last night.
“There was more money from Bayern, but he said that this is the right step in his career. We stayed up all night to think. I did not sleep at all. We stayed to see what the advantages and disadvantages were.
“He didn’t choose the money. There was more at Bayern. He said this is the right step for his career. He chose his career before money, and that is commendable.
“I don’t know how many would have refused the offer he had from Bayern. There were many who didn’t think we were turning down Bayern. I said this is the right step.
“There was quite a difference. Almost half as much, if not more, but never mind the amounts.
“They were never a priority. We always choose the steps we think are right. I think he weighed that he always wanted to get to the Premier League.”
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