Alfie Mawson admits it is a compliment to hear his name linked with other clubs, but has made clear he is happy at Swansea City and ready to kick on after making his Premier League breakthrough.

The 23-year-old recently returned for pre-season training, having been given extra time off after helping England Under-21s reach the semi-finals of the European Championship in Poland.

His performances at the finals, allied to his impressive first season in the top-flight, have led to speculation of a Liberty Stadium exit for the former Barnsley man.

Tottenham have been rumoured to be monitoring Mawson’s progress, with a potential £25million bid being touted for a man Swansea forked out just £5million for at the tail-end of last summer’s transfer window.

That very much looks like money well spent, and the Swans are determined to hang on to Mawson having been the club to put their faith in a player being touted as a future captain at club and international level.

And the man himself has only got his sights on continuing to improve in SA1.

“It is a compliment to hear these things, but I am grounded when it comes to that,” he said.

“I am a Swansea player, I love it here and I want to kick on and do great things.

“There is always talk and speculation but I am happy to be here working under the gaffer, so hopefully it is onwards and upwards with this club.”

After being unable to break into the Swans side under Francesco Guidolin, Mawson was given his chance under Bob Bradley, but it was not until the appointment of Paul Clement that he became a first-team regular.

Forming an ever-improving centre-half partnership with Federico Fernandez, Mawson helped the Swans retain top-flight status with a run of 13 points from their last five games.

Many would expect the duo to be asked to pick up where they left off last term.

However, Kyle Bartley is back in the Swansea fold having enjoyed an excellent campaign on loan at Leeds, where he skippered the Yorkshire club under former Swan Garry Monk, guiding them to within agonising sight of the play-off places.

Mike van der Hoorn, meanwhile, has had a year to adjust to the demands of the English game following his move from Ajax.

So, while many would be happy to sit back and reflect and a fantastic year in a career, particularly the events of the last month or so, where Mawson dealt maturely and confidently with his role as one of the leaders of the England age-grade side, the former Wycombe player knows resting on his laurels will not be an option after jetting off for the US.

“It was a brilliant experience, brilliant to represent my country,” said Mawson, who tellingly was one of the players made available for interview following the Under-21’s heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat against Germany.

“It was not brilliant in terms of how it ended, but it is something I will savour for the rest of my career.

“But now it is back to reality and trying to get fit for the start of the Premier League.

“Last season I tried to cement my place as a starter, leader and captain and I want to push on in that direction.

“But Kyle Bartley has come back from a brilliant season with Leeds, and Mike is a good performer so the shirts are up for grabs.

“I may have been starting at the end of last season, but I was late back after the Euros and I have missed a week of training so I feel I have to show I have not taken my foot off the gas.

“Federico and I had a good partnership, but who is to say the gaffer would not start a different partnership?

“I want to be there, I want to be in the team.

“I enjoyed playing with Fede, we have to try and cement our places and pick up where we left off.”