William Gallas reveals he turned down offers from Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to join Tottenham

Premier League : William Gallas (Tottenham) – (Panoramic)

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Tottenham defender William Gallas says he rejected moves to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain last summer before moving to White Hart Lane.

The Frenchman had been without a club following his release from Arsenal, with Panathinaikos mooted as his likely destination throughout the summer before he signed a one-year deal with Spurs towards the end of the transfer window.

And the 33-year-old insists that his decision to join the Gunners’ rivals was not because they were his last option, but because his family wanted to stay in London.

He told L’Equipe: “Everyone said I had no club this summer.

“But it’s because I said no to many clubs. I had Juventus, I told them ‘no’ because my family came first. I wanted to stay in London. PSG also wanted me to sign for them. I did not want to go there.

“So people should stop talking nonsense like William Gallas had no club and at the last moment he found Tottenham.

“No, it’s just that William Gallas wanted to stay in London for his family. I have four children and I think about my family first. And Tottenham was a good opportunity.”

Gallas also said he will “give everything” for the club to qualify for the Champions League again next season.

He added: “We are fifth in the Premier League and our target is to qualify for the Champions League.

“Tottenham has to be big, I play with big players. It will be very important to be in the Champions League next season.

“So I will do my best to give everything for the fans because they deserve it. They are unbelievable. Like I say, Tottenham has to be big.”