Tottenham interest in Max Aarons has cooled because Jose Mourinho would prefer to add a bigger and more physical full-back to the squad.
Mourinho is keen to boost his defensive options although injuries to Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko have forced Spurs to switch priorities this month.
They signed midfielder Gedson Fernandes on loan from Benfica and are trying to address the issue of Kane’s absence - as for Aarons, he insists his head has not been turned by the interest from north London.
‘People say it but it is generally true: I am just focused on my football, turning up for each game and being 100 per cent ready and working as hard as I can in training to improve,’ he said.
‘It (speculation) is something I don’t look at. But it is one of those things that happens when the window is open. ‘ Aarons signed a contract extension last summer, tying him down until June 2024.
When asked whether he would benefit from remaining at Norwich until the summer, he added: ‘Of course (Norwich) have given me this opportunity to play regularly and hopefully we can keep that going by me keeping improving and keeping my performances high.
'That is definite a positive thing, it is a brilliant club and I am learning development off the manager.’
On Wednesday night the defender faces Jose Mourinho as the Canaries travel to Spurs.
Aarons said he is unsure whether Jose Mourinho’s side have made a formal offer for him, claiming: ‘That stuff is dealt with by the club and my agent.
'My agent just tells me and the manager just tells me to stick to my football and come in and work as hard as I can and play at the weekend.’
The Spurs boss admires his talent but feels he already has attacking options in both full-back positions, with Serge Aurier and Ryan Sessegnon, and his first demand is for more physically dominant alternatives which would offer him more tactical flexibility.
Ben Davies has been injured although he is expected back next month and Jan Vertonghen, 32 years old and out of contract at the end of the season, would rather operate in central defence.
Mourinho has been impressed by performances of Japhet Tanganga who was deployed at right back in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough and at left-back at Watford on Saturday.
Tanganga, a 20-year-old academy centre-half, considered leaving White Hart Lane last summer amid interest from several lower league clubs.
Instead he signed a new one-year deal with options to extend and is in favour with the new head coach.
Unlike Danny Rose who has 18 months on his contract and was not happy to be overlooked for Tanganga at Watford.
Rose, 29, knows he can leave Spurs at the right price.