EXCLUSIVE

Axel Witsel has refused to rule out joining the Premier League’s Belgian contingent, but Tottenham may have to wait until the summer to sign the 27-year-old.

The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder is highly regarded at White Hart Lane, with Spurs having pushed until the final days of last summer’s transfer window in a bid to bring him to north London.

As reported by Standard Sport in September, Spurs were willing to pay £17 million for the midfielder, who earns about £70,000-a-week in Russia, to reunite him with Belgian team-mates Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Nacer Chadli and Toby Alderweireld.

But with Zenit through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League, Spurs concede that a move this month will prove highly problematic.

The Russian transfer window does not formally open until January 24th – just nine days before its English counterpart closes – while former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, the current head coach at Zenit, would be reluctant to lose one of his key men at this stage.

Speaking to Standard Sport from Zenit’s winter-training camp in Qatar, Witsel admitted that while he is concentrating on his current club, he will wait and see what happens in the summer.

“Well, I am focused on my team,” said Witsel, when asked about Tottenham’s interest. “We just came back from holidays. So my focus is on training.

“It’s the first training camp in Qatar this year and we will see later. I don’t want to think too much about that. I am here until June, and then we will see.”

Tottenham vs Sunderland - player ratings 12 show all Tottenham vs Sunderland - player ratings 1/12 Hugo Lloris: 6 The Frenchman was rarely troubled between the sticks but will have been disappointed he did not keep out Patrick Van Aanholt's opener. Paul Gilham/Getty Images 2/12 Kieran Trippier: 6 Arguably the full-back's best display for Spurs. Finally appears to be at home, rather than unsure of himself. Far from flawless defensively but attacked well. 3/12 Toby Alderweireld: 6 The Belgian defender's passing repertoire is superb. He put it to good use this afternoon and also ensured Defoe could only operate on the fringes of proceedings. 4/12 Jan Vertonghen: 6 The centre-back's ability to read the game helped him to stifle what little attacking threat Sunderland posed through the middle. 5/12 Danny Rose: 6 The full back claimed an assist for Dembele's goal and was also upended for Kane's late penalty but it was not his best afternoon. Went down a peg with a petulant dive. 6/12 Eric Dier: 6 A quiet afternoon for the Englishman, who was outshone by midfield partner Dembele. However, the Englishman's solid if not spectacular presence was just what the doctor ordered. 7/12 Mousa Dembele: 8 The Belgian's powerful presence in the centre park has clearly been missed. He took his goal well courtesy of a drilled finish and provided a sturdy presence in defence. Tom Carroll is unlikely to win his place back in the side. 8/12 Erik Lamela: 5 The Argentine huffed and puffed but little went right for him and it was no surprise to see him substituted with 20 minutes remaining. Dragged a shot wide of the mark after an excellent counter attack. 9/12 Dele Alli: 6 Missed a glorious chance early on and fell asleep for Van Aanholt's goal after drifting into the right back position. By no means poor but below the level we have come to expect from the youngster. Perhaps it could be time for a rest. 10/12 Christian Eriksen: 8 A return to form for the Dane. Deployed on the left flank, Eriksen helped himself to two goals thanks to Lee Cattermole's comical attempt to clear and a deflection off of Kirchhoff. The strikes should help restore his confidence. 11/12 Harry Kane: 7 The striker notched his 12th goal of the season from the penalty spot, which was just rewards for a fine display. He proved to be a constant menace and on another day would have had several strikes to his name but for Jordan Pickford's exploits in the Sunderland goal. 12/12 Joshua Onomah: 5 Did little of note during his cameo appearance but regular Premier League minutes will only aid his development. 1/12 Hugo Lloris: 6 The Frenchman was rarely troubled between the sticks but will have been disappointed he did not keep out Patrick Van Aanholt's opener. Paul Gilham/Getty Images 2/12 Kieran Trippier: 6 Arguably the full-back's best display for Spurs. Finally appears to be at home, rather than unsure of himself. Far from flawless defensively but attacked well. 3/12 Toby Alderweireld: 6 The Belgian defender's passing repertoire is superb. He put it to good use this afternoon and also ensured Defoe could only operate on the fringes of proceedings. 4/12 Jan Vertonghen: 6 The centre-back's ability to read the game helped him to stifle what little attacking threat Sunderland posed through the middle. 5/12 Danny Rose: 6 The full back claimed an assist for Dembele's goal and was also upended for Kane's late penalty but it was not his best afternoon. Went down a peg with a petulant dive. 6/12 Eric Dier: 6 A quiet afternoon for the Englishman, who was outshone by midfield partner Dembele. However, the Englishman's solid if not spectacular presence was just what the doctor ordered. 7/12 Mousa Dembele: 8 The Belgian's powerful presence in the centre park has clearly been missed. He took his goal well courtesy of a drilled finish and provided a sturdy presence in defence. Tom Carroll is unlikely to win his place back in the side. 8/12 Erik Lamela: 5 The Argentine huffed and puffed but little went right for him and it was no surprise to see him substituted with 20 minutes remaining. Dragged a shot wide of the mark after an excellent counter attack. 9/12 Dele Alli: 6 Missed a glorious chance early on and fell asleep for Van Aanholt's goal after drifting into the right back position. By no means poor but below the level we have come to expect from the youngster. Perhaps it could be time for a rest. 10/12 Christian Eriksen: 8 A return to form for the Dane. Deployed on the left flank, Eriksen helped himself to two goals thanks to Lee Cattermole's comical attempt to clear and a deflection off of Kirchhoff. The strikes should help restore his confidence. 11/12 Harry Kane: 7 The striker notched his 12th goal of the season from the penalty spot, which was just rewards for a fine display. He proved to be a constant menace and on another day would have had several strikes to his name but for Jordan Pickford's exploits in the Sunderland goal. 12/12 Joshua Onomah: 5 Did little of note during his cameo appearance but regular Premier League minutes will only aid his development.

On the possibility of linking up with his Belgium team-mates at Spurs, he added: “Yes of course, most of them are in England. But it doesn’t mean if they play there I should also go to England.

“Of course when I am in national team we speak about England or other championships. I think everybody knows that the best championship is the Premier League.”

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