Antonio Conte's defiant Harry Kane transfer claim echoes Diego Costa message

Antonio Conte maintains that he wouldn't be at Tottenham if he and his players weren't moving in the same direction amid speculation over Harry Kane's future.

The striker made efforts to leave north London in the summer as he looks to capture his first trophy.

Now 28, Kane has spent his entire career at Tottenham but his efforts have not yielded any silverware.

Manchester City were linked with his signature and the forward was reportedly frustrated that agreements between himself and Daniel Levy were backed out on.

He remains a Tottenham player but has cut a disinterested figure which could yet see him force an exit.

With Conte now at the helm, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo, the club are hopeful of turning their fortunes around and the Italian maintains that Kane can achieve his ambitions with his boyhood team.

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"Honestly, it's not necessary," Conte told Sky Sports when asked if he has spoken to Kane regarding his future.

"Harry knows me very well and my history is very clear. I'm not someone who is happy starting somewhere without having a top target and that's the people I like to work with.

"There is the will to build something important and Harry knows this. I wouldn't be here if there wasn't ambition from me or from my players. I've told them I'm here because I trust them.

"You can stay for many years in the same team but you only write the story at this club if you win.

"By winning trophies, you go into the story of the club. I understand that Harry is someone who wants to win trophies and he can helped us achieve this as we're talking about a world-class player."

Having Kane firing on all cylinders will be crucial if Tottenham are to rise up the table.

Conte has benefited in recent jobs from having a prolific marksman in the final third - one of whom used to be Diego Costa.

The pair worked together at Chelsea but their relationship ended it controversial circumstances.

Conte has since claimed Costa was looking to leave London and made it clear that those he worked with had to be committed to the cause.

He said: "This is the truth and, honestly, in my career I want to have players who are concentrated on my team and not to consider my team a second choice. My team must be the first choice."

Costa and Conte would end their working relationship after just one year together in west London.