A player with 406 career goals has now revealed Jose Mourinho tried to sign him for Tottenham – and suggests he was keen on the move to N17.

Spurs have famously come close to signing some top footballers, with The Athletic naming Luis Suarez, Rivaldo and even Kylian Mbappe as examples of those Tottenham missed out on.

However, there is another lethal frontman who came close to joining Spurs during the Jose Mourinho era, although a visa prevented any agreement from materialising…

Tottenham nearly signed Hulk

Brazilian football icon Hulk is the man who Mourinho very nearly signed for Spurs.

Speaking to GaloCast, the South American revealed that discussions were held, although Tottenham quickly realised that it would be impossible to obtain a work permit.

Hulk said: “Mourinho even got in touch with my agent to take me to Tottenham, but then they saw that there was no way I could play in England.”

The Brazil international then went on to say that he also had offers from Turkey and Portugal, but chose to elaborate on why he was denied access to the Premier League, suggesting he prioritised Spurs and wanted to live in N17.

Hulk continued: “There was a proposal from Turkey, Portugal and England, but I couldn’t play in England, because I had been in China for four and a half years… there is a rule there that you have to be either in the Brazilian team in the short period, or in the five leagues that they select (Italy, Spain, Germany, England or Germany).”

The 37-year-old eventually joined Atlético Mineiro, where he has scored 102 goals in 193 appearances, taking his career total up to a remarkable 406 goals in 766 outings.

Spurs could still use some experience

Hulk would have arrived at Tottenham in his late thirties and provided some knowhow to the attacking department at Spurs – something we feel Ange Postecoglou still needs after losing Harry Kane.

Of course, Heung-min Son is experienced at the age of 31, although the rest of Tottenham’s attack, such as Brennan Johnson (22) and Dejan Kulusevski (24) sometimes seem to be in need of guidance, something Kane would have offered in abundance.

Ultimately – while it is hard to quantify – Spurs look devoid of a talismanic figure who can take games by the scruff of the neck and score scruffy goals.

So, while there is always the temptation to find the next best young talent in modern day football, we feel Postecoglou needs to sign someone up who can deliver immediately – such as Brentford No.17 Ivan Toney, for example, a player Spurs are supposedly monitoring…