Transfers being hijacked is a story Tottenham bosses know all too well.

They thought they had landed Emmanuel Petit then Arsenal pulled their pants down, while they helped Willian essentially complete his Chelsea medical.

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But they’ve also managed to sting their rivals before like in 1988 when they gazumped Man United to land Young Player of the Year Paul Gascoigne.

The Newcastle player believed he was on his way to Manchester, just a few hours away. Gazza even informed manager Alex Ferguson that he intended to join him at Old Trafford.

So confident was the boss that he went on holiday believing United had secured the services one of football’s most exciting midfielders.

Yet, Spurs, led by chairman Irving Scholar, quickly intervened and proposed purchasing a house for the player’s family, which persuaded him to sign with them for £2 million.

“Off I go, and I’m lying by the pool when there is a Tannoy for me to take a call,” Fergie recounted in an interview with the late journalist David Frost. “It was [chairman Martin Edwards] telling me Tottenham had [secured his signature instead] by purchasing a house for Paul’s mum and dad in the northeast.”

The promise of a new home wasn’t good enough, though, as his dad also asked for a car, given the new house had a garage.

Not only that, Spurs also bought his sister a sunbed!

“She should have got a spray tan and I would have a few more medals,” Gazza later joked as he recalled his regret on not joining United who dominated the Premier League in the 1990s.

Needless to say Fergie was not impressed when he returned.

The manager had wanted to sign him almost as soon as he took over at United in 1986.

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A year into his reign, he was playing relegation-threatened Newcastle in the First Division.

In midfield for Man United were Norman Whiteside, Bryan Robson and Remi Moses – “all great footballers” – Fergie told Frost.

“And he just tore them apart,” he said, referring to 20-year-old rising star Gazza.

He is the one player Fergie regrets not signing, reflecting that maybe he could have helped him avoid the trappings of living in the capital as a young lad, alluding to the fact alcoholism affected his professional and personal life – something he has been very open about.

Gazza found superstardom two year after joining Spurs when he played for England at the 1990 World Cup.

In the nation’s most successful tournament since they won in 1966, they reached the semi-final with one of the iconic images being of Gazza wiping away his tears with his no.19 shirt.

At club level, meanwhile, won the FA Cup in 1991, scoring a memorable free-kick against Arsenal in the semi-final, but he injured himself in the final.

It was bad luck after that, with his move to Lazio in 1992 not working out, though he had success at Rangers in 1995 and was part of England’s Euro 96 semi-finalists.

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For all his superstardom he isn’t a Premier League legend. But it could have been different.

“We could have taken London out the road of him. We had Bobby Charlton, a Geordie. We had Bryan Robson, a Geordie,” Fergie added.

“We had a structure of players who could have helped him – given him some discipline.”

Man United were at the start of something big, with the Premier League forming in 1992 and the club winning six of the first eight before the turn of the century.

Gazza did eventually play in England’s top flight when he joined Middlesbrough in 1998 and then Everton in 2000.

MORE TRANSFER TALES

Gazza in their words

He was one of the finest players of his era and a whole host of names were in awe of Gascoigne

“I would say the most naturally gifted footballer this country has ever produced.” – Gary Lineker

“When I was a kid, Paul Gascoigne was my hero. He was the one I always looked up to and wanted to be.” – Frank Lampard

“I remember the European Championships in England with Gascoigne playing some great matches and remember the ‘sombrero’ at Wembley. It was spectacular.” – Xavi

“Not only could he pick a pass but he could go past two or three players – he was a genius with that football at his feet.” – Alan Shearer

“He was aggressive, very physical, but at the same time very technical, fantastic characteristics that you need to be a top footballer.” – Jose Mourinho