Sunderland defender John O’Shea says rumours linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur are ‘total speculation’.

The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland centre-back was linked with a £3m switch to White Hart Lane last week but has moved to deny speculation he will quit the Stadium of Light to join Spurs this summer.

Talking to the Irish Mirror, O’Shea said: “It was news to myself.

“That’s the way it goes at this time of the year, there is lots of stuff rumoured about players coming and going.

“It’s just one of those things. It’s just total speculation,” the former Manchester United defender added.

O’Shea has one year remaining on his contract at Sunderland after joining the Black Cats from United in 2011.