Troy Deeney rejected Arsenal after refusing to apologize for the 'cojones' mockery and could have been Harry Kane's substitute at Tottenham

Troy Deeney has revealed that both Arsenal and Tottenham approached him following Watford's relegation from the Premier League in 2020.

But although in the end none of the movements materialized, the Hornets legend says that gunnersThe interest never went anywhere thanks to his rather bold comments made in a post-match interview.

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Deeney eventually signed with youth club Birmingham City in 2021, staying for two years before joining Forest Green Rovers, whom he then managed for six games between December 2023 and January 2024.

But before his departure to Vicarage Road, the former striker received an offer about a move to the Emirates and the possibility of staying in the Premier League, but there was a problem.

Talking about the Dirty Friends PodcastDeeney said: “You know I was close to signing (for Arsenal). The year I was relegated.

“We lost to Arsenal, 3-2, Welbz (Danny Welbeck) and I scored, we probably could have beaten you, it was that COVID year, behind closed doors.

“That day we were relegated, this was at Arsenal, and everyone was saying: 'Ahhh cajones!' and whatever, 'Shut the fuck up, man.'”

Deeney, of course, is referring to the time he accused Arsenal of lacking 'cojones' following Watford's 2-1 victory over the north London giants at Vicarage Road in the 2017/18 season, which sparked a dispute between him and the Gunners faithful.

He continued: “Then again in training, I'm just on the bike because my knee isn't right.

“Someone from Arsenal calls and says, 'Would you go to Arsenal? But what you have to do is apologize for that comment.'

“I said I wasn't going to apologize for that.”

Tottenham They were also interested in Deeney that same summer, with José Mourinho eyeing him as a back-up to striker Harry Kane.

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“I was driving to the south of France, it was still COVID times, you couldn't really fly and all that,” Deeney explained. “And my agent calls me: 'Watford wants to get rid of you.'

“I literally say, 'Me!?' Keep in mind that I drive in shorts because I can't put on pants, my knee is huge (due to an injury I suffered while playing).

“My knee is swollen and you want to talk about getting rid of me now?

“Considering the last four months, I haven't been paid! Because I told them to keep it, to make sure they pay the staff. So now I was taking everything personally.

“Anyway, I settled in for a week, came back and they said, 'Will you talk to (Jose) Mourinho at Spurs?'

“If you remember, the season ended in July and then we came back, it was a quick turnaround. Will I talk to Mourinho? Of course I will, it's José, what do you mean? Who's not going to talk to Mourinho.”

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And soon enough, Deeney came face to face with The Special One, but again, there was a problem.

“He wanted me to come to Spurs, but they have that (Carlos) Vinicius (lined up), they are playing with that idea,” he said.

“They asked me to chat (with Mourinho), he wanted to know if I would come in and it would be me. I told him: 'listen, I'm 32 years old, let's have a good time, I'll go'. 'It's the only time I would have played in Europe.

“If Harry (Kane) is doing well, I would be his biggest cheerleader, but if not, I will step in and push him on a daily basis as well.

I'm not as good as Harry, not even close, I'll never say that. But there are certain things I do that he can't do.

“But I thought I could do that (backup) role, and they were in the Europa League or something, so I was happy to play every Thursday, no problem.

We had the talk and he said, “If I can't get (Vinicus) over the line, you're next.” Sweet.”

Of course, Spurs ended up signing Vinicius and Deeney stayed at Vicarage Road for another year, helping Watford gain promotion back to the top flight.

Who knows what would have been if Vinicius had not been available and Deeney never said that Arsene Wenger's team lacked balls.