Harry Winks says he did not feel wanted at Tottenham towards the end of his time with his boyhood club.
The England international made only 19 Premier League appearances last season as Antonio Conte brought in Rodrigo Bentancur to strengthen his options in central midfield during the January transfer window.
As a result, the 27-year-old was allowed to join Serie A side Sampdoria on a loan deal and, after some injury problems at the start of the season, Winks is starting to impress.
The midfielder has started the club’s last four League games and was praised by the Italian press for his performance against Monza earlier this month.
Sampdoria are understood to have included an option to buy the player on a permanent basis in their initial loan arrangement and the chances of seeing Winks in a Spurs shirt again would seem remote at this stage.
Speaking to the Times, Winks said: “The main driver [in leaving] was I wanted to play for a team that wanted me, that respected me enough and wanted to commit to me in that sense.
“I wanted to feel wanted and appreciated because in the last couple of years it was difficult at Spurs. I didn’t have that feeling.”
When asked if he kept contact with anyone at Spurs, Winks replied: “Not particularly, no.”
