Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has opened up about how difficult it was to sell certain players this summer.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with an unsettled squad this season after various players failed to get moves away from the club, with stars such as Christian Eriksen, Serge Aurier and Victor Wanyama openly admitting they were looking to move on.

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are now in the final nine months of their contracts while Danny Rose was also given permission to find a move away that never happened.

Levy and members of the Spurs board met with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust this month and the minutes of that meeting have now been published.

When pushed on the team's tough start to the season, the minutes say that: "Daniel Levy said he was very conscious of the high expectations, and he understood that.

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"However, the club is not yet at the same revenue levels as the other top six clubs. He said they had just delivered a brand new, world-class stadium and that revenues would take time to come through, particularly as initial operating costs are high."

It went on: "Daniel Levy said that Spurs had been one of the biggest spenders among Premier League clubs in the recent transfer window. It had also not generated all the sales the club had hoped for.

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"It was recognised that Spurs had been unlucky with injuries but all new signings should be back in training during the international break.

"Daniel Levy stressed the importance of everyone focusing their energies on getting behind the team and that we all need to work together. We've all seen how well they the team can play when they’re at their best."

On those failed sales, the minutes also stated: "Daniel Levy said it’s not always possible to sell players. In 90% of instances either a buyer could not be found for a player or the player did not wish to join the club that had expressed an interest in buying them so Spurs were not able to make as many changes as desired this summer.

"Daniel Levy reiterated just how difficult it is to get a transfer over the line, with so many moving parts. He felt the next step in the project was already underway with the signings this summer and the sale of some fringe players. That the much talked about refresh had already begun."

The situation with Eriksen, Vertonghen and Alderweireld all out of contract this summer was also addressed during the meeting.

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"Daniel Levy said that it wasn’t possible to make anyone sign a contract if they didn’t want to. Some players have been at Spurs for a long time and want to pursue new opportunities elsewhere," read the minutes.

"He felt it was important to look at each individual circumstance. Players want new challenges. It wasn’t always about not wanting to play for Tottenham any more. The whole football system relies on buying and selling players so this is fundamental to the business."