They say that a week is a long time in football. Rewind the clock back seven days and Arnaut Danjuma was on course to depart Villarreal to sign a loan deal with Premier League strugglers Everton.
One week on and the Netherlands international is now off the mark in a Tottenham shirt after a dramatic transfer U-turn. With his move to Everton practically there with his medical and media duties reportedly completed, Tuesday saw Danjuma make his way to Hotspur Way after Spurs had made a very late move for his signature.
The opportunity to compete towards the top of the Premier League and also play in the Champions League was something he simply could not turn down. Taking his place in the Tottenham squad for the first time at Preston North End, Antonio Conte elected against handing his new man an immediate start as he went with a front three of Son Heung-min, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Kulusevski.
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Tottenham fans had to wait until the 71st minute for the new signing's introduction, and it was certainly worth the wait as he completed the scoring at Deepdale as they ran out 3-0 winners. Kulusevski was the architect as he picked out his new teammate in the box, with Danjuma coolly sweeping the ball into the bottom corner to give Freddie Woodman no chance.
It was the perfect start to his Tottenham career and a moment that went down rather well with the Tottenham faithful watching on behind the goal. Fresh from scoring his first Spurs goal, the work didn't stop for Danjuma at the full-time whistle as he had to take part in the warm-down session at Deepdale alongside the unused substitutes and those who entered the fray late on.
Managing director of football Fabio Paratici was watching on behind the goal as a handful of players, including Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Ben Davies, went through some runs. Once those involved had finished and made their way back towards the tunnel, Paratici shared a brief moment with Danjuma as he wrapped his arm around his shoulders and said a few words to him.
The Italian will undoubtedly have been praising his new signing after marking his Tottenham debut in the best way possible. Bolstering Tottenham's attack going into the business end of the season, the arrival of Danjuma could turn out to be a very shrewd deal for the Lilywhites.
Danjuma did come in for praise from Tottenham assistant head coach Cristian Stellini when speaking to the media in his post-match press conference.
"Danjuma, it was a good start for him to score in his first game," said the Italian. "We are looking forward to working with him, we have to discover this guy, he can play in many positions in the three in front.
"We are happy for that but I also want to mention the three at the back because they played a really good game. Sanchez was captain, it was a good match for Patron and all the three at the back."
Proving at Villarreal that he knows where the goal is, if the new man can replicate the form he showed in Spain then he will be worth his weight in gold if he can fire Tottenham to another top-four finish and potential success in the cup competitions. An attacking signing was also going to be needed in January after Conte had to make do with limited options in the first few months following injuries at various times to Richarlison, Son, Kulusevski and Lucas Moura.
Tottenham couldn't afford to leave themselves too short at the business end of the season as that could ultimately prove costly when it comes to achieving their ambitions. Danjuma's experience and eye for a goal also keeps everyone else on their toes as he will be intent on becoming a regular in the Tottenham starting XI.
After a season of real struggle, Son looked back towards his best in Lancashire as he netted two sublime strikes to help see off the Championship side. It wasn't just his goals that caught the eye as he looked much sharper, he was willing to take on his opponent and he didn't look like the player who has been devoid of confidence all season.
Conte certainly has choice all across his frontline and Danjuma looks on course to give him a real headache in terms of his team selection going forward. A good showing in his first 20 minutes in a Tottenham shirt, Spurs fans are now desperate to see more of him after making such a positive start to life in N17.
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