Harry Redknapp admits Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla came close to being a Tottenham player.

The Spain star joined the Gunners in 2012 from La Liga outfit Malaga for £16m.

Redknapp wrote in his column for the Evening Standard: "Santi Cazorla was very nearly a Tottenham player well before he joined Arsenal in 2012.

"He was fantastic against us for Villarreal in a pre-season friendly in July 2010.

"I went up to Everton to watch him play again a week later and then we spoke to Villarreal.

"Santi wanted to come. He was happy to join Spurs but there was a breakdown in talks over the fee.

"The deal was almost done but it got lost somewhere in the negotiations between Tottenham and Villarreal.

"It was a transfer that could and should have been done. He ended up being another one who got away."