Zenit St. Petersburg striker Aytem Dzyuba has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign him in January.

The Russia international claims Jose Mourinho pushed for his signature.

"When Harry Kane got injured at Tottenham, people contacted me. From Jose Mourinho, as I understand it," the attacker said on Russia 24. "But it was the New Year holidays, so Zenit said no. And that's all.

"If Tottenham really wanted to sign me then I think they would have been more insistent. That is, the interest was real.

"For my part, I said: 'do it, try, and ask what their offer is.'"

He added that a move to Goodison Park was close last winter.

"Last winter, representatives of agent Jorge Mendes came, for two hours we talked and discussed," he said.

"They had a ready-made option: Everton. I could not leave because we were going for the league title. For me it was an important achievement, because in Russia I had not won it yet. For me then it was important to stay."