Postecoglou stung, as reasons for two Tottenham transfers collapsing despite big bids emerge

Tottenham saw raids on Chelsea and Bournemouth fall short on deadline day despite lodging bids totalling £60m, and the reasons why have now surfaced.

Spurs conducted their fair share of business on deadline day, with the £47m arrival of Brennan Johnson the headline attraction.

The ex-Nottingham Forest forward will provide another lively option in Postecoglou’s attack. Johnson can operate anywhere across the frontline, though Sky Sports previously suggested he’ll primarily be used on the wings.

Elsewhere, Japhet Tanganga completed a loan switch to Augsburg that contains a conditional obligation to buy.

The clause – worth a reported €6m (approx. £5.1m) – is tied to an appearance target and Augsburg avoiding relegation from the Bundesliga.

Left-back Sergio Reguilon filled a hole at Manchester United when joining on loan. The Red Devils explored late left-back moves due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both being sidelined through injury.

However, Tottenham also saw moves for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly fall short.

The Evening Standard reported Spurs verbally offered £40m for Gallagher. For Kelly, the bid was £20m, per the Athletic.

Both proposals were rejected and the reasons why the moves couldn’t be secured have now emerged.

Tottenham failures linked to their own players

Firstly, Football London reported Bournemouth grew increasingly reluctant to part ways with Kelly. The 24-year-old defender is a key player on the south coast and losing him so late in the window would’ve been disastrous.

Furthermore, the Athletic stated Spurs centre-back Eric Dier had been offered as part of the switch to ensure Bournemouth received a readymade replacement.

However, despite being out in the cold in north London, Dier refused to move. A separate Spurs attempt to offload Dier to Nottingham Forest also failed.

A fresh update from the Evening Standard states Kelly’s potential signing effectively relied on Dier leaving. When Dier put on the brakes, Postecoglou and Tottenham could not act.

It’s a similar story regarding Gallagher, with the report adding his potential move to Spurs hinged on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg first leaving.

Hojbjerg was the subject of a bid from Fulham who hastily attempted to sign a replacement for Joao Palhinha.

However, once Palhinha’s move to Bayern Munich fell apart when the German 5pm deadline passed, Fulham had no need to sign Hojbjerg.

What’s more, various sources suggested the Dane wasn’t all that keen on joining the Cottagers anyway.

As such, with Hojbjerg staying put just like Dier, Spurs’ moves for Gallagher and Kelly subsided.

Adding a final nail in the coffin, the Standard concluded Chelsea value Gallagher at £50m anyway – £10m higher than Spurs’ £40m bid.

READ MORE: Postecoglou buzzing as Tottenham sign Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest for record-breaking fee