6. Joe Cole
Neal Simpson/EMPICS SportIn 2011, during Joe Cole's ill-fated spell at Anfield with Liverpool, his former West Ham United boss Harry Redknapp - who was in charge at Spurs at the time - thought that he could
resurrect his career at White Hart Lane. A fee of £3 million had been agreed with Liverpool, a medical was planned, Cole would have jumped at the opportunity to potentially get some regular first team football and, rather laughably, he was considered to be a potential "direct replacement" for Luka Modric who, at the time, was interesting Manchester United (they were lining up a £28 million bid for the Croatian who would go on to sign for Real Madrid) when they first realised that they were going to have to replace the legendary Paul Scholes. However, it wouldn't be the first time that a move to Spurs didn't materialise when it seemed close for Cole. Prior to joining Liverpool, he revealed he had a
five year offer from Spurs on the table, but just couldn't bring himself to sign for the club - given that he had already played for both West Ham and Chelsea in London. He admitted that he regretted that decision, however. About the situation, Cole said "Spurs was probably the best option because they were offering me a five-year deal and it meant I could stay in familiar surroundings. But I just couldnt do it, I just couldnt see myself pulling that Spurs shirt over my head. With the rivalry between Spurs and West Ham and Chelsea, it felt a bit mercenary."