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In-demand Dembele happy at Fulham

Moussa Dembele insists he is happy at Fulham © Getty Images

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Moussa Dembele has insisted he is not looking to leave Fulham despite reported interest from some of England's top clubs.

Belgium international Dembele, 24, has only a year remaining on his current deal and had said in November last year that he was looking to "step higher" after proving himself at Craven Cottage.

Belgian newspaper De Morgen recently claimed the player's agents were holding discussions with Chelsea, while Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have all been linked, but Dembele says he is enjoying life under Martin Jol.

"I'm very happy to stay at Fulham, especially because of the boss," Dembele told the Fulham Chronicle. "I think it's very important to have the backing of the manager and he's a coach who gives me a lot of confidence - that's why I feel I owe it to the gaffer as well.

"I think every player needs that and I'm no different. I go to training every day and work with joy. It's a fantastic club and I'm not in a hurry to move anywhere."

Jol converted Dembele from attack to midfield last season and the player is thrilled with his new role.

"I'm very happy with the change this year in the position I play because I'm a player who likes to have the ball as much as possible - and that is down to the manager as well," he said. "I think I can hold the ball very well, and it's an advantage to the team if I have a lot of the ball, so I like that position a lot.

"I'm also very happy with the way the season went. The club is doing very well and we have a very strong team with good players.

"Next year, everybody wants to do even better. I'm not sure what will be our target next season, because in a way it's the club and manager who decide. I don't know if it is realistic to try for fourth or fifth or sixth, but I think we should look to do even better than this season and last.

"Maybe we will have more energy because we don't play in Europe this season and we can concentrate on the league."

Pajtim Kasami, who signed from Palermo last summer, has also suggested he expects to stay at Fulham despite having made only two appearances in 2012.

"At the beginning of the season it was quite difficult being in a new team, in a new country, and playing in a new league, but I felt like I adapted quickly to English football so the first part of the season went very well for me," he told the club's official website. "The second half of the season didn't go so well. I'm not sad but I'm a little bit disappointed in myself and the only thing I can do is look forward to the next season."

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