Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has said he would not swap midfielder Giovani Lo Celso for Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has been influential in United's 15-game unbeaten run and scored a double in their 3-0 win over Brighton on Tuesday.
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The Portugal international was close to joining Spurs last summer but a deal failed to materialise and Mourinho said he would prefer Lo Celso over United's new recruit.
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"I don't know anything about that, but if that is true, and if Giovani Lo Celso was the player that came to Spurs [instead of Fernandes], then I would say I wouldn't change Giovani Lo Celso for any player," he told Sky Sports.
"[I wouldn't swap Lo Celso] for any player. It's not just for Bruno, but for any player. When I arrived I went in other directions and he did exactly what I love a player to do: 'I'm going to show you.'
"[There was] no spoiled kid reactions, no crying, no moaning, no agents and family throwing messages to the press and to the social media. It was just between him and me: 'I'm going to show you,' and he showed me step-by-step."
Lo Celso has been one of Spurs' standout performers this season despite only scoring two goals in all competitions.
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Mourinho also addressed his relationship with club record signing Tanguy Ndombele who has not featured since the Premier League restart.
Sources told ESPN that Ndombele clashed with Mourinho in a training session last week and never wants to play for him again.
"I know when I arrived there were problems. Injuries, small injuries, physical condition and that broke that initial impact when a player starts working with the manager and it broke the immediate impact you can have with other players," Mourinho added.
"[I have] no problem with Tanguy. He's in a big club where you have to compete with other guys, he's an option for me, a very good player who will probably be playing at Sheffield United, will probably be playing the next match.
"There is no problem, there is no story. We are a big club with very talented players."
Spurs return to league action with a trip to Sheffield United on Thursday.
Source: espn.co.uk