Italian striker claims Spurs and Everton were interested in him in 2016
Former Fulham and Italy striker Stefano Okaka has claimed he nearly signed for Tottenham Hotspur many years ago.
Okaka began his career at AS Roma and has moved around plenty of times in his career, spending time in England, Belgium, Turkey, and his native Italy.
Currently plying his trade in the Turkish Super Lig with Basaksehir, Okaka has three goals and one assist in 15 matches this season (Transfermarkt).
He may not be a household name, but Okaka has enjoyed some fairly prolific spells in the past and has featured in the Premier League for two clubs. Okaka joined Fulham in February 2010 on a short loan spell from Roma.
After a strong season with Anderlecht in the Belgium league, where he scored 17 goals (Transfermarkt), Okaka made the move back to the Premier League in 2016 with Watford. He would make 20 appearances for the Hornets, scoring four goals (Transfermarkt).
Okaka’s career path could have been very different though, as the striker tells Calciomercato he was offered the chance to play in China, and could also have signed for Spurs or Everton.
He said: “When I was at Anderlecht, the club was pushing to sell me to China. But I was 26 and I didn’t feel like it. I wanted to go to the Premier League; there was Everton and Tottenham.
“So I said no to a super offer (from the Far East). When you see certain figures, it is not easy to reject them. But my love for football is greater than my love for money.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Fair play to Okaka for turning down the move to China. We’ve seen far better and higher profile players lured in by the money to play over there, but Okaka stuck to his guns and made a move which benefited his career more by playing in the Premier League.
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