Pau Torres says he rejected a move to Tottenham – and that it was not a tough decision.
Spurs were strongly linked with the 24-year-old Spain international defender but he opted to stay at Villarreal.
He has been with the club for his entire career so far and insisted at a press conference that he had no intention of leaving.
Other Premier clubs have been linked with him in recent seasons but he has stayed loyal to Villarreal.
“I was told there was interest in me from another club, which was Tottenham,” he said.
“However, I was very clear in what I wanted to do. I took the decision very calmly.
“It was the best decision for me and what I wanted to do – staying with my boyhood club ahead of an exciting season with big goals and big challenges to achieve.
“I was very clear, so it didn’t take much time to make the decision.”
At one stage of the recent transfer window reports claimed that Tottenham were ready to pay £45m in order to take Torres to north London. Manchester United were also linked with him before agreeing a deal to sign Raphael Varane.
Torres has had a busy summer, representing Spain at both the Euros and Olympics.