Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has said he never came close to leaving the London club in the summer.

Reports in England had heavily linked the Belgian international with a move to Manchester United, but speaking today, the centre-back said his focus has always been on Spurs:

“Everyone was saying everywhere that I absolutely wanted to leave Tottenham. That’s not true. This summer, I quickly understood Tottenham wanted to keep me. So, I had to battle to get my place back in the team. To be in the first team again is a victory for me.”

“I just try to help Tottenham as best I can with my qualities. Regarding my future, everything that was said in the press was not right all the time.”

Alderweireld has just nine months left on his contract with Tottenham, but his club do have the option of extending the deal for a further year.

However, that would also trigger a release clause of £25m that will come into effect next summer, which could lead to a transfer scramble for the 29-year-old.

Since the transfer window closed, the centre-half has re-established himself in Spurs’s first team. After being an unused substitute in the 2-1 win against Newcastle on the opening day, he has gone on to start the next three Premier League games, including the 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford at the end of last month.