Tanguy Ndombele has explained his transfer situation with Paris Saint Germain after he was heavily linked with a move to the Parc des Princes before he returned to Lyon on deadline day.
The France international returned to his former club on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy included in the deal, although Spurs will also receive £1.18million for the midfielder.
Ndombele was one of four Tottenham departures on the final day of the transfer window, with Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso having also gone out on loan, whilst Dele Alli made the permanent move to Everton.
The 25-year-old was one player who was struggling to get regular game time under Antonio Conte but when given the chance, failed to consistently impress.
Midfielder Ndombele also didn't make a great impression when he slowly walked off in his last match for Tottenham, after he was substituted off against Morecambe in the fA Cup with his side were trailing 1-0.
After the transfer window had shut, Fabio Paratici spoke to the media about the reasoning behind the loan departures.
"They need more games. Just this. So no special motivation about it," he admitted. "They just need games and I think they will have in the new clubs.
"They are our players, so our assets and of course we have to follow them. I repeat, they need just minutes, it's not about the quality but about the time."
There is an option for Lyon to make Ndombele's move permanent, with the attached fee said to be £54million and if they don't take up this option, he may return to N17.
Since the midfielder's return to France, there has been praise for him, from those in and around his new side.
"He has continued to progress, to mature. He will bring us a lot through his passing quality, his ability with the ball at his feet. He is one of the best players with the ball under pressure," Lyon's technical advisor Bruno Cheyrou said.
Ndombele himself has spoken about his move back to France.
"I've known five coaches in two and a half years [at Spurs]. It's not their fault but I had a little trouble at Tottenham," the midfielder admitted.
"I wanted something else. Lyon, as I know, is better for adaptation."
Before his return to his former club and during the January window, the Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to PSG, which would have meant a reunion with his former Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino.
In an interview with Julien Maynard at Telefoot, Ndombele has now opened up about the move to the French club that didn't become a reality.
"It is true that I was associated with PSG, there were discussions. But between the discussions and the act, there is a long way," he explained. "It was complicated with Paris for an exchange, they made it clear to me after a while."
However, the midfielder hasn't ruled out a future move to the current leaders in Ligue 1.
"I listened and I respect Paris' decision, I couldn't do otherwise," he explained. "A part of fate? Yes, maybe I shouldn't go, maybe in the future, someday, I don't know."
Ndombele did speak about his move to Lyon and what he wants from his loan.
"Coming to Lyon was a risk, I left through the front door here. If I mess it up, that’s what people will remember of me. But at this stage of my career, it’s the best choice for me.
"Now, my objective is to get a taste for football again. When you’re not playing a lot, when you don’t appreciate the style of play there is, you lose your taste for football," the midfielder added (via Get French Football News).
Before his departure, Ndombele had made just 16 appearances for Tottenham this season but has already played 45 minutes in Lyon's recent defeat against Monaco.
Despite the loss, the 25-year-old impressed on his return, having 91.5 per cent passing accuracy, producing two accurate long balls and a key pass during the match.
Ndombele will hope to impress in the second half of the season in Ligue 1 and also commented on what a successful end to his loan would look like.
"A top-three finish, and why not going on to win the Europa League? I have to put in good performances, I know that people will be watching me."
It will be interesting to see how Ndombele does in his return to his home country and only time will tell if he has a future in north London.
