Mousa Dembele has cast doubt over his Tottenham future by revealing he will not consider signing an extension until after the World Cup, citing that this could be his last season with the club.
The 30-year-old who is contracted to Spurs until 2019 is happy at the club and has not ruled out signing a new deal with the club. However, the midfielder has told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure (h/t ESPN) that talks are on hold until after the World Cup. Representing Belgium in the World Cup in Russia remains his priority.
“We have not really talked about an extension of my contract,” Dembele told La Derniere Heure (h/t ESPN).
“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 joined Tottenham from in 2012, has been a linchpin in Mauricio Pochettino’s side. The Belgian has been injured for most of this campaign and despite being perennially sidelined, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions, which is indeed a remarkable return.
According to ESPN, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has insisted that players will only leave the club if Pochettino gives the green signal, regardless of their contract situations.
Dembele accepts that not signing a new deal with the club has put him in the rumour mill but insists that he isn’t looking to force a move out of the club.
“At this moment, I am very happy at Tottenham,” Dembele added. “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.”
Dembele is a top-class player and I hope that we offer him a new contract once the World Cup gets over.
