Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso has revealed why he turned down Wolverhampton Wanderers in favor of Spurs during the January transfer window. The Austrian international, who had established himself as a standout performer at RC Lens in France, was a highly sought-after player, with multiple clubs vying for his signature.
Spurs were in desperate need of a new central defender in January and were linked with several names, including AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, who ultimately declined their approach. However, as the window drew to a close, Tottenham made a late move to hijack Wolves’ agreement with Lens for Danso—securing the 26-year-old’s services in a dramatic twist.
Now, Danso has broken his silence on why he rejected Wolves and chose to join Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham project instead.
Danso’s Decision: Why He Turned Down Wolves for Spurs
Wolves were strongly interested in signing Danso as they sought defensive reinforcements in January. Managed by Vitor Pereira, the Midlands club identified the Austrian as the ideal addition to their backline.
An initial bid for Danso was turned down, but negotiations progressed, and Wolves appeared to be on the verge of finalizing a deal. However, just when an agreement seemed imminent, Tottenham swooped in and successfully hijacked the transfer, leaving Wolves frustrated.
Speaking to Football London, Danso explained his decision, making it clear that the opportunity to play for Spurs was simply too good to turn down.
“I’m here now and I try not to think too much about what happened in the past,” he said. “I can’t change that. I can’t do much about that.
“I think when a club like Spurs comes knocking, it’s something that I don’t think a lot of people would turn down. Certainly not me. That’s why I am here today.”
When asked whether Tottenham’s participation in European competitions influenced his choice, Danso did not hesitate in his response.
“Yeah, 100 per cent. I think Spurs is a big club and we have the chance to play in Europe. That is where Spurs belong. That is what we want to achieve every season, to continue adding to the history, hopefully with some trophies — that is what we are setting out to do. It starts tomorrow (Thursday) by coming out and trying to win the game (vs AZ Alkmaar).”
Danso’s comments highlight the allure of playing for a club with Tottenham’s stature and ambition. While Wolves presented an appealing opportunity, Spurs’ European ambitions and long-term project under Postecoglou proved decisive in his decision-making.
Why Tottenham Initially Hesitated to Sign Danso
Although Danso emerged as a priority signing for Spurs in the final days of the transfer window, the club had been tracking him for some time.
Tottenham first showed interest in the Austrian defender at the start of January and considered a move early in the window. However, Lens’ initial asking price—reportedly exceeding €30 million (£25m+)—caused hesitation within the club. Daniel Levy and the Tottenham hierarchy were unwilling to meet that valuation, opting to explore other defensive targets instead.
Circumstances changed when Radu Dragusin suffered an injury, forcing Spurs to revisit the idea of signing Danso. At that point, Tottenham learned that Lens were open to negotiating a structured deal—an initial loan with an obligation to buy for €25 million (£20.9m). That arrangement suited Spurs, and Levy wasted no time in sanctioning the move.
Since arriving at Tottenham, Danso has quickly integrated into Postecoglou’s squad, impressing with his performances. Spurs fans have been delighted with his contributions so far, and with European football on the horizon, the Austrian defender looks set to play a key role in the club’s ambitions moving forward.
As the season progresses, Danso’s decision to join Tottenham over Wolves may prove to be a defining moment in his career, reinforcing his belief that Spurs was the right place for him to take the next step.
‘That’s why’: Kevin Danso explains the real reason why he rejected Wolves and joined Tottenham instead
