Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted to sign Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum after their failed title tilt in 2016.
But rather than joining Spurs, both players made the move to Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool that summer - a side which had finished ten points worse off than Tottenham the previous year.
Pochettino had been keen to build upon the previous campaign's success but Spurs' chairman Daniel Levy - who made it clear in a recent meeting with the Tottenham Supporters' Trust that the financial stability of the club has always been of the utmost importance - refused to splash the cash.
The Daily Mail note that Pochettino was keen on bringing both players to north London, but their relatively big transfer fees went against the grain of the chairman's spending philosophy.
Indeed, Levy is thought to have said that he 'did not believe there was a direct correlation between winning and spending money', going on to add that he would not risk the club's existence 'for future generations' in pursuit of policies designed 'to win'.
The 58-year-old chairman continued by selling the Supporters' Trust that Tottenham
Levy added that maintaining the philosophy that has seen Harry Winks come through the academy ranks to captain the side at Wolves recently was 'really important', reiterating the club's commitment towards taking a long-term view of things.
Having replaced Lord Alan Sugar as Tottenham chairman in February 2001, Levy has spent almost two decades in charge of Spurs' purse-strings. Yet, despite reaching the Champions League final last season, fans' patience with Levy is starting to wear thin as the club are in the midst of a disastrous campaign.
With Pochettino sacked by November, new head coach José Mourinho has taken just 27 points
Things could have even very different with Mané and Wijnaldum on board, but instead, they look set to win Liverpool's first ever Premier League title - if the season resumes as normal after the coronavirus outbreak.
Source : 90min