Real Madrid star almost joined Tottenham in 2014

Tottenham rejected the chance to sign Marco Asensio according to reports in Spain. The Real Madrid star was recommended to the club by their top scout, Ramon Planes in 2014 but Spurs decided not to sign him.

The Spaniard was shining at Real Mallorca B when the scout first spotted him. He followed him for a few games and then tipped the club about Asensio.

Pochettino just took over at Tottenham at the time and was just getting his team set. Planes was keen on getting the deal done but Spurs failed to make a move in time.

Barcelona were the first club to show interest in him and made a move for him. The Catalan side agreed a deal with Mallorca but the payment scheme proposed was rejected by Mallorca.

Real Madrid swooped in before Barcelona could act and signed him up. The 22-year-old went on to become one of the hottest properties in football and has settled in well at Bernabeu.

Many see him as the ideal long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo but he is far from it right now. The Spaniard can strike the ball with both feet, however, he lacks the consistency in form and that is natural for a player of his age.

He has won the Champions League twice already and has tasted LaLiga success too. Madrid awarded him with a new contract last year and it took his release clauses to a whopping £442 million.

Spurs are now looking to sign Frenkie de Jong from Ajax. The Dutch side are reluctant to sell the 21-year-old and have slapped a £67 million price tag on him.

Meanwhile, Planes now works for Barcelona as the first team technical secretary alongside Eric Abidal. He was with Spurs only for a season before leaving the club. The scout had worked for Hospitalet and Racing Santander before joining Spurs in 2014.