Former Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare claims to have held talks with three Premier League clubs last summer. He told L'Equipe: "After my sacking from PSG I had a six-month break. Then I wanted to coach in the Premier League, rather than France.

"I had contacts but it was never sorted because I was always the second or third name on the list.

"The contacts? West Bromwich Albion, Swansea and Tottenham. I went to London to meet officials, but it never came to anything.

"I didn't want to join a small club or a small European league, so I finally chose Saudi Arabia.

"Since my departure from Al-Hilal I have had some very serious contacts, but the projects didn't really excite me. I want to manage clubs playing at the top of their league."