Christian Eriksen says leaving Spurs “wasn’t a difficult choice” while confirming Man Utd talks
Inter Milan playmaker Christian Eriksen has revealed that he discussed a possible transfer with Manchester United.
After a prolonged transfer saga at Tottenham Hotspur, Eriksen left England and joined Serie A title challengers Inter Milan last month, despite previous interest from Man Utd.
Eriksen’s Spurs exit: Five things to know…
- Eriksen joined Spurs from Ajax as one of the many players brought in to replace Gareth Bale in 2013.
- He flourished at the club, winning Spurs’ Player of the Year twice.
- The midfielder revealed at the end of last season that he wanted to leave Spurs.
- But a move never materialised, despite interest from Real Madrid and Man Utd.
- He eventually joined Inter in January with less than six months remaining on his Spurs contract.
In the aftermath to Spurs’ devastating defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League final, Eriksen revealed that he wanted to leave the club and would be happy to do see out his contract and leave on a free this summer.
Spurs half-heartedly looked to move the Dane on in the hope that he would stay put beyond 2020 but he knew what he wanted, which ultimately forced Spurs to let him go.
Despite fees of over £100 million being suggested for him in the summer, Inter managed to snap him up for £16.9 million.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Eriksen discussed the options he was given as he sought an exit.
When asked if a move to Man Utd was ever truly on the cards, he said: “For a few years but it was never really likely. We did speak to them of course and we did hear what was possible and what wasn’t possible. But, in the end, me personally, I wanted a new challenge. To stay in the Premier League would have been an easy solution.
“Of course, staying at Tottenham would also have been a solution but, for me, it just came down to wanting to try a new challenge in a new country. Once Inter came up it really wasn’t a difficult choice.”
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“I got the blame”
Whilst there are probably a number of players who want to leave their current club, it is very rare that one is so open about their desire.
Eriksen’s interview with the Danish media last summer sparked outrage amongst Spurs fans, who labelled him disrespectful for so publicly trying to force a move.
The midfielder sees it differently, however. When discussing his stance, he said: “Of course, I did the interview. I was very honest. I felt I had to be honest. I didn’t want to hide like a lot of players do. Everyone is different. I was honest. I wanted to say it out loud.
“I did get the blame for a lot of stuff, for being the bad guy. I read I was the bad person in the changing room, that ever since I said I wanted to leave, it was no good me being there. To be honest, over the last few years, if anything came up, any player would think about leaving but I was the guy who said it publicly.”
