On Tuesday evening, some Tottenham Hotspur supporters witnessed a glimpse of what could've been and not just because they missed out on Champions League qualification...

What was the word?

One-time transfer target Marcus Thuram lit up the elite stage, bagging a 25-minute brace against Gareth Bale's parent club, Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old is a unique combination of pace, height and power and that much was displayed playing on the left-flank where, in addition to his double, he recorded two dribbles, one key pass and a 93% pass accuracy. He also won 80% of his duels, per SofaScore.

According to The Sun during the 2019 January transfer window, Spurs were set to battle north London rivals Arsenal and Manchester United for his signature.

It clearly didn't come to fruition as by the summer, he joined Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach for just €12m (£11m). He has continued to thrive ever since.

One that got away?

Now valued at €40m (£36m) by CIES Football Observatory, Thuram has become one of the Bundesliga's most exciting forwards - outside the absolute joke of a frontline that Bayern Munich possess.

That brace took his total for Gladbach to 17. He's also provided 13 assists, meaning he's contributed to 30 goals in just 47 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

In 31 league matches last term, the Frenchman averaged two dribbles, 1.8 shots and one key pass per game, which is way better than what current Spurs star Lucas Moura has managed this season in the Premier League.

His 0.8 shots, 0.5 dribbles and 0.3 key passes per appearance, via WhoScored, is a shambles in comparison especially as he's been competing at the top level for a far greater time period.

Despite being the son of legendary France World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, the 23-year-old is quite the opposite and has been likened to Anthony Martial in the past.

Gladbach's sporting director Max Eberl believes they have a gem on their hands, calling Thuram a "fast, robust and dangerous forward" whilst former Saint-Etienne coach Jean-Louis Gasset dubbed him a "great player" with a "great future".

For just £11m, you can't help but feel that Daniel Levy missed a winner here. His ability to play anywhere across the front three could've helped solve the back-up striker problem prior to Carlos Vinicius' arrival too.

AND in other news, Premier League misfit could've been the DREAM Eriksen successor...