Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has rejected the chance of a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur, insisting he is happy to stay with the reigning European champions even though he has been relegated to the substitutes bench at the Bernabeu since the arrival of Ronaldo.

Morientes lost his place in the staring line-up when Ronaldo moved to Spain after the World Cup finals. The subject of much transfer speculation in recent months, the 26-year-old Spanish international was reportedly set to join Spurs on loan for the rest of the season, but hisÿagent Gines Carvajal insists the player is not interested in a loan move.

“A third party has contacted me to tell me that there is an offer from Tottenham for Morientes to go on loan until the end of the season, but we are not interested in a loan deal,” Carvajal said.

“Morientes made the decision to respect his contract with Real Madrid after negotiations with Barcelona and Tottenham fell through last August.” “He will see how this season goes and then he will evaluate his position,”

Morientes, who was poised to join Barcelona in the summer until the move collapsed, has also been linked with a switch to Italy, with Roma in particular, believed to be keen on securing his services.