Thursday 3 September 2015 09:05, UK
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has issued a statement defending the club's transfer business but stopped short of commenting on the pursuit of West Brom's Saido Berahino.
Spurs had been heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old during the summer transfer window but no deal was finalised.
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace rejected two deadline day bids for the striker, leading to Berahino declaring on social media that he 'will never play for Jeremy Peace' again.
Peace again addressed the issue in a public statement after the window closed and accused Spurs of tactically trying to unsettle the player.
However, Levy has now responded to those comments and said Spurs never seek to make transfer dealings 'personal'.
"We have never, as a Club, spoken about another team's players and I am not about to do so now. However, I do want to make a few general points regarding transfers," Levy said on www.tottenhamhotspur.com.
"Firstly, there is hardly a transfer concluded across Europe which doesn't include staged payments. This is particularly so when significant amounts such as £20m-£30m are involved - players don't come cheaply these days.
"Secondly, we do not make anything personal. None of the proposals, discussions or negotiations we undertake involve any personal elements or ego - everything we do is in the interest of what is best for our Club.
"Thirdly, we never make anything public, particularly in the best interests of the players involved. Making aspects such as transfer requests public is wholly disrespectful to a player.
"Our pragmatic player trading has been important in the way we have run the business of the Club and in getting us to the position where we have now been able to start work on a new stadium - the one thing that has the ability to take this Club to the next level of competitiveness.
"I make no apologies for being ambitious for our Club and looking to deliver future success for our fans."
The statement also outlined Spurs' intentions to streamline the squad from last season during the summer, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino adamant they never wanted to add signings unless they improved the squad.
A number of players, including Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado and Etienne Capoue left White Hart Line in the summer, with the likes of Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier and Kevin Wimmer all arriving.
The club also strengthened going forward, adding Heung-Min Son and Clinton Njie.
"I have been very clear that we would only add players that we felt would improve us and if any one player was not possible then I prefer we do not add for the sake of it," Pochettino said.
"Much has been said about us only having one recognised striker in Harry [Kane] - I don't accept this at all - the positional play of today's forwards means it's too simplistic to look for goals from any one position - playing a fluid style means players switch.
"Also we secured Sonny and Clinton in the knowledge that we may not be adding any other forward."
