Andrea Pirlo Reveals Reasons for Rejecting Tottenham Hotspur

Juventus and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo says the opportunity to continue winning led to him rejecting a move to Tottenham Hotspur and agreeing a new deal with the Serie A champions until 2016.

Pirlo will remain in his homeland for another two years after agreeing a new contract but had been linked with moves away from Turin this summer.

The Italy World Cup winner will lead his country in Brazil this summer and revealed upon confirming he will remain at Juve that he rejected a switch to Tottenham before making his decision.

"I'll sign it (the Juventus deal)," the 35 year old said according to Tuttosport "I could have gone to Tottenham, but I chose to stay because I want to continue to win. And not only the Scudetto.

"I'm happy to have renewed with them. I want to continue. What was said about me and Prandelli and Tottenham were nothing more than rumours. I'm very happy at Juventus. This is my club and we have aims beyond just the league.

"Past interest from Tottenham Hotspur? I don't know if Italian football is better than English football, but it was my choice to continue with Juventus, which is a place where I'm comfortable and where I can win."

Spurs have previously been linked with a move for Pirlo however news that the veteran international will stay with Juventus is a blow to their plans ahead of the new season.

Mauricio Pochettino was appointed at the successor to Tim Sherwood in May and is expected to stage a mass overhaul of the squad which was supplemented by seven new players last summer in haphazard fashion following Gareth Bale's departure to Real Madrid.

Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in December as a result of their early struggles, while Sherwood was dismissed at the end of the campaign after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Chairman Daniel Levy has already stated this summer will be quiet on the transfer front and a move for Pirlo – among Europe's finest midfielders despite turning 36 next May – suggests the club could attempt a number of cut-price deals in the window.