Mikey Moore has moved to play down suggestions he has no long-term future at Tottenham Hotspur, insisting the north London club remains central to his plans even while he builds his career elsewhere on loan.
The 18-year-old winger joined Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln in the summer in search of regular first-team football, and has already impressed during his early appearances there.
Earlier reports suggested Everton and Fulham had been prepared to pay in the region of €30 million to sign Moore permanently, with claims in Germany that he had no long-term future in north London. Moore's latest comments, given to Köln's official channels, tell a different story.
"Spurs are a huge part of my life," he said. "My goal is to play at the highest possible level. If I were to break into the first team at Spurs in the future, I'd certainly be very happy about that."
Moore spent last season on loan at Rangers, where he scored seven goals and won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, before returning to Tottenham for pre-season and eventually being sent out again in search of regular senior minutes. For now, his focus is on making the loan spell in Cologne count. Moore said he had been eager to get started as soon as the move was confirmed.
"I was really happy when I got the green light for the loan. I was eager to get started right away," he said. "Right from the first conversation, he (René Wagner) had a clear idea of how and where I should play. I really liked the fact that he plans to use me in an attacking role and expects me to help the team by scoring goals.
"I'm looking forward to joining a team where a lot is expected of me. I want to take on responsibility here."
Beyond first-team opportunities, the move to Germany also offers Moore the prospect of facing a familiar face: former Tottenham striker Harry Kane, now at Bayern Munich.
"He was an incredible player for Tottenham," Moore said. "What he's doing now is almost beyond words. I had a few training sessions with him when I was younger. I'm really looking forward to playing against him."
Moore also praised the atmosphere at Köln's RheinEnergieStadion after his early experiences there.
"The stadium is beautiful. The fans were indescribable. They're even crazier than in England," he said. "I want to excite people with my game and get them on their feet. I want the fans to say after the season that I gave everything for the club and that they enjoyed watching me play."