Israel's forward Eran Zahavi (right) is marked by Austria's defender Aleksandar Dragovic during the Euro 2020 Group G football qualification match between Israel and Austria at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa on March 24, 2019. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

JERUSALEM - English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur failed to sign Chinese Super League's top scorer Eran Zahavi, leading Israeli sports website "One" reported on Saturday.

Tottenham first wanted to sign Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo of Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, but he instead chose to join Manchester United on loan

Spurs reportedly were interested in signing the Israeli Guangzhou R&F striker, following the injury of England national team captain Harry Kane, who will be sidelined until April.

Tottenham first wanted to sign Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo of Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, but he instead chose to join Manchester United on loan.

Thus, in the waning hours of the transfer window on Friday night, Tottenham tried to sign Zahavi, though unsuccessfully because of a lack of time.

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Last season, Zahavi set a record of 29 goals in the Chinese Premier League, alongside 11 goals for the Israeli national team in the Euro 2020 qualifications.

Meanwhile, because the start of the Chinese Super League 2020 season was postponed - due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus - the Israeli Football Association prepared a special personal training program for Zahavi and his Guangzhou teammate Dia Saba, to make them fit for upcoming Euro 2020 playoff matches in late March.