Tottenham's Sanchez reveals he rejected Barca move

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Bengaluru, January 25: Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez admits that he rejected a move to La Liga giants Barcelona for Ajax and also reveals his Spurs move happened this season only because of Mauricio Pochettino.

Sanchez was impressive in his debut season in Europe with Dutch giants Ajax where he moved from his boyhood club Atlético Nacional for a transfer fee of €5 million.

The player helped his team to finish second in the Eredivisie and also inspired his team to reach the final of Europa League where they lost to Manchester United.

But as per Sanchez, before Ajax's call, the player received offers from Barcelona, but he straight away rejected the move because he wanted to develop before such a big move and did not want to be a backup player of a team.

Speaking to MARCA Colombia, Sanchez said: "It's true that I was always linked [with Barcelona].

"There was an offer on the table, but you have to think about the conditions.

"I had just won the Libertadores and had to go to Barcelona's second team.

"Although I was sure that I would finish up in the first team, because I have a lot of confidence in me and my ability to achieve important things, I played 50 games at Ajax and [that was] what I needed."

After the impressive campaign with Ajax, the player again jumped the ship this season and joined Spurs in a club-record deal of around £42million.

The 21-year-old suggested he also had offers from Italy, however, a conversation with Spurs boss Pochettino convinced him to join the London based side.

"The first person I spoke with was Pochettino and I had the chance to go to Italy, but Mauricio convinced me," he added.

"He was a central defender and I feel I can trust him, as what he wants from me seems very reasonable.

"He speaks to you face to face and I try to listen to him a lot."

The Colombian defender has seen ups and downs in his debut campaign in the Premier League, however, he has been a solid and strong option in the defense most of the time.

The player is currently playing as a first choice option in the defense along with Jan Vertonghen after the long-term injury to Toby Alderweireld and has already registered 26 starts for the north Londoners.