Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes admits he was close to joining Tottenham over the summer.

Fernandes has admitted he was interested in moving to north London under now departed boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Fernandes told Record: "In the summer I thought I could go out. 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."