Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he blocked Reading s attempt to sign Gylfi Sigurdsson on deadline day.
The 23-year-old Iceland international could have become Reading s record signing according to Royals boss Brian McDermott, but Villas-Boas says he was never willing to let the player go.
Obviously he s a player that means a lot to Reading, Villas-Boas told reporters.
But he s a player that we rate very highly. We brought him here after his amazing contribution (on loan) for Swansea last year and he’s a player that we have high expectations for.
Probably this season at the moment he is not going to the level that he wants, but he s a player that we believe a lot in, and in his future here. We couldn t allow him to leave.
Sigurdsson began his career in English football at Reading in 2008 before leaving to join Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in 2010.
The Spurs midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell at Swansea during the second half of last season, earning him a move to White Hart Lane this summer.
