Moutinho not joining Spurs in January

Joao Moutinho has put an end to speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham by revealing he has decided to stay put at Porto this season.

Spurs came within minutes of shattering their transfer record after agreeing a fee for Moutinho on deadline day, but were unable to get the deal completed in time.

The north London club were expected to launch another bid for the Portuguese international in January while Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersburg are also said to be keen.

However Moutinho says he has no intention of leaving Porto this season, and is keen to focus on their upcoming Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain tonight

“I’ve made the decision to stay with Porto,” he told reporters yesterday.

"We believe in the value and quality we have here. I’m happy and what I want most is to win against PSG."

Just yesterday however Moutinho’s agent was angling for a move to Barcelona and admitted that the 26-year-old would love a switch to the Nou Camp if the chance arose.

"We must take into account the player's interest. He would love to play for Barcelona and this option will remain a priority," Moutinho's agent Pini Zahavi told Izvestia.

"I think Barcelona's style of play fits Moutinho and he has also long been an admirer of the Catalan side."

Having failed to land Moutinho in the transfer window, Tottenham have handed the job of replacing Luka Modric to £15 million signing Mousa Dembele, who has settled in quickly to life at White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been quick to distance himself from another move for Moutinho in January, and described Dembele as a “technically tremendous” option in midfield following the departure of Modric.