Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho insists there was no persuading Christian Eriksen to stay.

Eriksen's performances dipped following the Special One's arrival with his mind clearly elsewhere and while Mourinho admits it was difficult to include the 27-year-old he did appreciate his professionalism.

Inter Milan forked out £12m to seal the playmaker's services this week - a deal which owner Daniel Levy has been praised for brokering.

"The day I arrived he told me he was not going to sign,' claimed Mourinho.

"Christian told me the decision was made and there was no way. From that moment I was just trying to build the team without him. That was the reason why I didn't play him many, many times.

"It was down to me and Mr Levy to manage the situation in an intelligent way.

"For me, to try to have a player without great motivations but with a good sense of professionalism to give us what he could. And for Mr Levy to do a great deal with six months on his contract.

"Christian was a good guy in the dressing room. Always positive and always respectful with the limitations of somebody that wants to leave because there are always limitations in this situation.

"You could feel in some matches he was not Christian; that is normal."