Lamela on Spurs exit, international on Liverpool deal

Posted Monday, December 14, 2015 by Express.co.uk

Erik Lamela insists he isn't going anywhere as interest in the Tottenham player intensifies.

Lamela, 23, joined the White Hart Lane club from Roma in a £26m deal back in 2013.

He scored his first hat-trick of his Spurs career during their 4-1 Europa League win over Monaco on Thursday.

"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,” he said.

"It has never been my intention to do that."

Simon Mignolet is expected to sign his new contract at Liverpool after receiving a vote of confidence from manager Jurgen Klopp.

Mignolet was reportedly close to leaving the Reds last winter when his form dipped.

He has impressed between the sticks this term, however, and that has led to a contract offer.

But the Belgium international insists he won't let fresh contract discussions distract him.

"Obviously it was nice to hear the manager say in public that he's behind you," the 27-year-old said.

"I knew it already as he had spoken with me. You know what he's about and what he likes.

"But there's a difference between him saying it just to you and saying it to the outside world.

"It gives you a lot of confidence and it's nice to hear. But, by the same token, it doesn't mean anything because you have to keep showing on the pitch what you can do.

"I'll keep working hard to improve and I'm not really concerning myself about the new contract.

"The games are coming thick and fast and that's the only thing that matters at the moment."