Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb frustrated with contract stalemate

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has expressed his growing frustration over the ongoing contract saga after revealing several top clubs are interested in signing him.

The 20-year-old joined the north London club's academy in January 2012 and then broke into the first team against Southampton in December 2013. During the last season, he has excelled under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance as he started in 25 league games.

The White Hart Lane club rewarded star striker Harry Kane and midfielder Ryan Wilson with a new contract. Bentaleb's current deal runs out in 2018 and he admitted there has been no progress over signing a new deal, despite starting the talks last September.

The Algerian international admitted that he is hoping to be rewarded with a new deal after having an impressive 2014/15 season.

"I play every game like it is my last. I give everything on the pitch. I've been working really hard and it's normal for me to want to get rewarded," Bentaleb told the Telegraph.

"We've been negotiating for nearly nine months now, since September, and it's getting really long and, of course, I'm getting a little bit tired of it."

"But I still work hard. It doesn't change how hard I work. I will still be the same person. But sometimes it is annoying when you don't feel treated as you should be.

"This season was a really good season for me and I've had some interest from big clubs, from Champions League clubs. I'm really flattered."

"I feel I've grown this season. I've shown more maturity and more confidence, even more desire. I fight even more. If right now I was still at the same level that I was a year ago there would be a problem," he added.

Bentaleb earlier credited the former Southampton manager for the rise in his form and wants to continue with his current employers, despite the contract situation at Tottenham.

"I still need to improve very much. I thank him [Pochettino] for this. I have absolutely no problem with the club itself. I like the club. I really enjoy playing. When I put the Tottenham shirt on I give everything. The people from the club understand this," the midfielder explained.