Thomas Frank says Tottenham worked hard to try and sign Antoine Semenyo in January but conceded the transfer window is not like the game Football Manager.
Semenyo, 26, joined Manchester City - Tottenham's opponents on Sunday - for £62.5m earlier this month, but Frank has added to his squad during this window by signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher for £35m and Brazil left-back Souza on a long-term deal.
"It was clear, there is no doubt, that the club wanted to sign [Antoine] Semenyo.