Erik Lamela has insisted he has no intention, nor has he ever, of leaving Tottenham amid speculation over his future.
The 23-year-old endured a difficult first two years at White Hart Lane after failing to justify his £26million fee - the most expensive in a flurry of signings Spurs made in anticipation of Gareth Bale's world record £85million departure in the summer of 2013.
But Lamela is beginning to excel under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentina international scored his first career hat-trick in a clinical first-half showing against Monaco on Thursday, while his three assists and two goals in the top flight have contributed to Spurs's record unbeaten Premier League run.
And despite firm talk of a move away from White Hart Lane - indeed, his father said the player was in discussion with Inter Milan during the summer - Lamela insists he never considered leaving Tottenham.
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“It seems that every summer I have been here there have been suggestions I might be leaving. I don’t know why that came about but no way was I leaving,” the Tottenham star said.
“It has never been my intention to do that."
Asked what was behind his impressive form for Tottenham this season, Lamela added: “The manager has helped me a lot.
“One of the reasons is that the training sessions are really tough. The coaches really push us and you can see the benefits."
