Tottenham news: Challenge of Champions League football kept Hugo Lloris at White Hart Lane this summer

Tottenham Hotspur could have lost their star goalkeeper this summer were it not for the club’s Champions League qualification.

Hugo Lloris has implied that he never thought of leaving the north London club after they secured their place in Europe towards the end of the 2015/16 season.

The Frenchman was an integral part of the Spurs side which eventually finished third in the league, thus earning their first appearance in Europe’s leading club competition since the 2010/11 campaign.

Lloris has impressed for Tottenham in recent years and his form has caught the attention of a number of England and Europe’s biggest clubs.

Manchester United were one of the many sides linked with Lloris last summer but the 29-year-old has revealed in an interview with L’Equipe that he will be staying put at Spurs as the club embark on the challenge of European football.

“There have been rumours of my departure for many summers,” he said.

“From the moment we reached our goal, in spring, my mind was made up. I've never asked myself the question. I knew I would stay.

“I am in a project which started really with Pochettino. The first two seasons, yes, it didn't happen as I wished collectively, but the challenges have helped me make my way.

“They saw that they could count on me.

'It [the Champions League] is an indescribable competition. This is where you have to be, and where you want to be.”

Unfortunately, Lloris could be set to miss Tottenham’s Champions League opener after picking up a hamstring injury in their draw with Everton at the start of the new season.

The keeper could be out for at least four weeks.

Spurs will discover their group stage opponents during Thursday night’s Champions League draw.

Roma’s 3-0 loss to Porto means the side are guaranteed to be placed in pot three which could see Spurs drawn to face two of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.