Jose Mourinho has been through a few transfer windows in his time as a manager, and he used all that experience on deadline day to anticipate the first three questions of his press conference.
Before journalists could get in a word, Mourinho began throwing questions out on Tottenham’s transfer plans.
Reports earlier in the day claimed Spurs were working hard to clinch a seismic deal for Gareth Bale, the former winger who the club sold to Real Madrid in 2013 for £85m, but had stumbled to find a solution to the 30-year-old’s huge wage demands.
Seemingly in playful mood, Mourinho began: “First question: are you expecting any player until the end of the market? First answer: No. Let’s move. Second question: are you happy with your market? Yes, I am. Third question: Don’t you want a striker?” He answered with a broad grin.
Mourinho has fallen out with plenty of owners and directors in the past over transfer policy and inactivity, and he appeared to be doing his utmost to portray harmony between himself and Daniel Levy at Tottenham.
Spurs, who host Manchester City on Sunday, have signed Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven in a £27m deal and parted with £27.2m to make Giovani Lo Celso a permanent addition. Christian Eriksen left the north London side for Inter Milan while Spurs have an option to sign Gedson Fernandes permanently when his loan ends.
“I am not expecting (more signings),” Mourinho said. “The market is open so anything can happen but I am not expecting anything to happen. I am happy.”
The Portuguese would not say no to a new striker, however.
“It would be better with a striker, yes we would need a striker to have a balanced squad to face the great challenges we have in front of us in three different competitions,” Mourinho added. “If it’s not possible it is not possible. We are all together for this in the club.”
Additional reporting by PA
