Mousa Demebele has said he has not spoken with Tottenham Hotspur about a new contract and will not consider signing one until after the World Cup.
Dembele, 30, will be out of contract in June 2019, and he told La Derniere Heure that while he is happy at the club, finishing the season and preparing to represent Belgium in Russia this summer remain his priorities.
“We have not really talked about an extension of my contract,” Dembele said. “At the beginning of the season, I said I had physical problems, I want to see at the end of the season how I feel. That’s what the club and I decided by mutual agreement.
“If we talk about a new contract in the middle of the season, it will cost energy. Imagine how a player can feel unappreciated after a disappointing proposal. It can disrupt his game.”
Dembele, who moved from Fulham in 2012, has made 34 appearances in all competitions with 23 starts this season despite foot, hip and ankle injuries.
Last month, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy told the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust that the club would not sell any players who manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to keep.
And by not agreeing a new deal with the club, Dembele acknowledged it has set him up for transfer speculation — but he said he isn’t looking to force a move.
“At this moment, I am very happy at Tottenham,” Dembele said. “I do not lie when I say that I do not think about a big transfer. I want to play a World Cup and afterwards we will see.
“Really, I’m not aware of the interest of other clubs. And, besides, I told my agent to wait for the summer to tell me about any offers. For now, I’m only focussing on Tottenham. Maybe this is my last season or maybe I’ll sign a new deal. We’ll see.”
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