Former Spurs, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino said he tried to sign striker Jonathan David multiple times with his previous clubs, as he prepares his US side to face Canada Tuesday.
David has started the season in blistering form with Atletico Madrid, which he joined on loan last month after a difficult spell at Juventus.
He has scored three goals in as many games for Atletico, and is expected to lead the line for Canada when the North American rivals clash in an international friendly at Allianz Field in Minnesota on Tuesday.
"When we were in different clubs, he always was on our radar to try to sign him. That is true," said Pochettino.
He added: "It's going to be a difficult player for us tomorrow. We need to be focused on him, of course, because he's one of the greatest strikers today in the world.
"Not only here or in Europe, but in the world."
Now 26, David enjoyed five prolific seasons in France, scoring 109 goals for Lille after joining them for a Canadian record 30 million euros in 2020.
Nicknamed the "Iceman," he joined Serie A giants Juventus on a free transfer in 2025, where his impact was more limited and he scored just eight goals.
Joining Atletico on loan last month he hit the ground running, netting in their last three games.
That included a goal in their 2-1 win against bitter rivals Real Madrid just before the international break.
According to Spanish media, Atletico have an option to buy David worth around 25 million euros ($29 million).
"Now seeing him in La Liga in a club like Atletico Madrid with a coach like Diego Simeone is fantastic," said Pochettino, who played and coached in Spain's La Liga with Espanyol.
"I think he's a fantastic striker with a very good mix (of) qualities and for sure scoring goals with confidence."
The US clash with Canada is the fourth of an intense international window for Pochettino's team.
Pochettino has used the post-World Cup period to blood a number of exciting young
prospects, and has been rewarded with three emphatic wins.
The US beat Peru 4-1, Chile 4-2 and Mexico 3-0, with teenagers Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall and Mathis Albert all among the goalscorers.
Canada also racked up wins over Chile and Peru, with David bagging the sole goal in the victory over Chile.
Los Angeles FC striker Jacob Shaffelburg was on target twice in Canada's 2-0 defeat of Peru on Saturday.
Pochettino said he expected Jesse Marsch's men and their supporters to be fired up for the clash with Canada's giant neighbor to the south.
"It's obvious that every time that we play against teams like Canada or Mexico, always the competitivity is there, and the fans want to win," he said.
"I think we all know what means to play against Mexico and Canada."