Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that he is still an admirer of Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Willian.
Villas-Boas and Willian, 24, are good friends according to the player, although Spurs were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him during the summer.
"We contacted Willian and he is one of the players in which we had an interest," Villas-Boas told Lancenet. "I like his style but we could not reach a deal with Shakhtar in the summer.
"Shakhtar are a tough club to negotiate with; they don't need the money, they can keep their players."
Willian revealed last month that he is keen to sign for a "bigger club in a high-level league".
