Tottenham Playmaker Target Has No Problem With Staying In France
Younes Belhanda says he wants to concentrate on bringing Montpellier success this season, while the club insist he may not leave in the summer
Tottenham Hotspur playmaker target Younes Belhanda insists he doesn't regret not leaving Montpellier in the January transfer window, with the 22 year old concentrating on his current club until the end of the season.
Spurs were believed to have shown interest in Belhanda, who has scored nine goals in 25 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, in the twilight of the winter window after a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce fell through.
It was widely reported that manager Andre Villas-Boas wanted to improve his attacking options going into the business end of the season, and while a summer move to Tottenham or Fenerbahce could still be on the cards for Belhanda, he keen to focus on his current situation.
"I am 100 per cent focused on this club," he told L'Equipe. "I had a proposition [from Fenerbahce], the club didn't accept it, and there is no problem with that."
Montpellier chairman Laurent Nicollin won't sell Belhanda in the summer unless the price is one that he can't refuse.
"With Younes we have the same words we had with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa [who left for Newcastle]," he explained. "We will take stock in April-May.
"We didn't sign any paper to state he will absolutely leave in July. If he has a good season that would allow him to get a nice opportunity and if the club could take advantage of it, why not."
Tottenham took the risk in not purchasing a striker in the January window, instead bringing in midfielder Lewis Holtby from Schalke 04.
Despite clocking up a tenth league game unbeaten against Newcastle United, Spurs continue to struggle for attacking options and with Jermain Defoe suffering from injury and Emmanuel Adebayor short of form, Gareth Bale, the club's top scorer this season, is taking a lead role spearheading the club's assault on Champions League qualification.
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