Revealed: How Robin van Persie nearly joined Tottenham in life-changing career move

When Van Persie was still at Feyenoord, Pleat, who was Tottenham's director of football in the early 2000s, went to the Dutch side to see the striker play. The ex-Leicester City boss ultimately turned down the chance to recruit the young forward as he thought he looked a "right mess". Arsenal then "took a chance" on him in 2004 and the rest is history.

He told FourFourTwo: "Then as a director of football, at Tottenham, I went to Feyenoord to see Robin van Persie. He came on as a sub, shirt out of his shorts, socks rolled down, looking a right mess. Steve Rowley at Arsenal had decided not to sign him, but they went for a second look and decided to take a chance."

Van Persie went onto score 132 goals in 278 games for Arsenal, before adding an extra 58 at Manchester United - where he helped deliver them the Premier League title in 2013. The Dutchman was, arguably, one of the best forwards of his generation and it's hard to not think what might have been for Tottenham if they had secured his signature.

Van Persie, who also won the 2005 FA Cup with Arsenal and notched 50 goals in 102 caps for his country, is now head coach at Eredivisie side Heerenveen - where he has been in charge since the start of this season.