Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela has admitted that he does not understand speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
The 24-year-old moved to White Hart Lane in 2013 for a then-club record £25m and last term enjoyed his most prolific spell in a Spurs shirt to date, with 10 goals and nine assists as the side finished third in the Premier League.
Last summer the Argentine was linked with a switch to Ligue 1 side Marseille and rumours of an impending exit have again surfaced this transfer window, despite Spurs chairman Daniel Levy insisting that he will not sell key players.
"Ever since I came to Tottenham I've heard that I am supposed to be leaving," Lamela told reporters. "It is the same every summer. I do not know why.
"From the beginning my focus has always been on Tottenham, even when things did not go as planned at the start. I never thought about leaving. I enjoy playing for the club and get on well with all the players, the staff and supporters.
"I feel a big connection with the club and especially the fans who have always supported me so much. Last year we did very well by finishing third [and] I feel we can do even better this season."
Spurs travel to Norway to face Inter Milan in their final pre-season fixture this Friday ahead of a trip to Everton when the new Premier League season begins on August 13.
Neil Wilkes
