Bruno Fernandes' name will no doubt crop up in January regarding a move to Tottenham.
The Portuguese midfielder was heavily tipped to join the Lilywhites before the summer transfer deadline but the move never came to fruition despite the player agreeing terms to move to north London.
The fee became a stumbling block and it meant that the 25-year-old remained at Sporting CP with his dream of moving to the Premier League put on ice for the time being.
Although Fernandes committed his long-term future to Sporting in November by penning a new contract, he has continued to be linked with a move away given his impressive numbers over the past couple of seasons.
Speaking to Portuguese publication Record about almost leaving in the summer, the highly-rated player stated that Spurs were the perfect fit for him.
"In the summer I thought I could go out," he said, as reported by Zero Zero ." I believed it was a good time to leave due to many factors. I made the best time of my career to date.
"After the UEFA Nations League there were already many contacts, especially with Tottenham. It was the team that wanted me the most and was the only one I agreed to talk with, because there were other clubs that didn't interest me or whose project was not up to my expectations.
"Tottenham fit into everything I wish I had at that moment. It is an appealing championship. Knowing that Tottenham would be willing to pay for me and make every possible effort to take me, leaves a player eager to take that step.
"Regardless, I always kept my word that it was up to Sporting to decide whether or not to leave. Nothing changed my desire to be here and to want to stay here.
"Sporting nurtured me, gave me a lot. It was a source of great pride and honour to continue representing Sporting.
"Obviously, the transfer market moves any player, especially when we know which clubs are behind us or want us, but I've always tried to stay focused because the image I want to leave at Sporting is that.
"Until the last day I am here, I will always do my best and continue to do my best."
Talk of Fernandes moving to the Premier League just doesn't go away and he has admitted that he's unsure if his dream will become a reality in the not too distant future.
"I don't know if the dream can wait long, I don't know if clubs are willing to wait long or not, but if a club really wants me, whether today or tomorrow, I think it will try. If not try it is because the interest is not so great," he admitted.
"I am not outstanding. I am not Cristiano Ronaldo, I am not Lionel Messi, I have the notion of that.
"I still have a lot to grow, but when I want to leave Sporting I want it to be what it was like when I came to Sporting: the club wanted me, nurtured me, gave me everything I needed to grow and today I am what I'm because of Sporting."
