ADAM Smith insists he is ignoring reported interest from former club Tottenham and is focused on helping Cherries improve on their ninth-placed Premier League finish.

With Kyle Walker tipped to leave White Hart Lane, Smith's name is repeatedly cropping up as a potential replacement for the England international.

The Sunday Express yesterday added to the speculation when they suggested Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was keen to land Smith this summer.

Right-back Smith, apparently also on the radar of champions Chelsea, started 34 top-flight matches as Cherries pieced together the finest season in the club's history.

He told the Daily Echo: "That transfer talk is part of football, all the speculation builds towards the end of every season.

"It is always nice to be talked about in a positive way, because it means you are doing something right. I would rather that than be getting bad press.

"But I do not take too much notice of it. I am a Bournemouth player and I am planning to have a nice holiday now, then come back here next season."

Smith grew up a Tottenham fan and graduated through the club's academy. But following a succession of loan spells and just one first-team appearance, he left to join Cherries three years ago.

Asked if the identity of his suitors had turned his head, Smith replied: "Not really, no. I was there for a long time but I don’t really take any notice of all the talk – a lot of it is rubbish!"

Smith represents one quarter of a terrifically consistent Cherries back four. Centre-half Steve Cook was ever present in the Premier League last season, while Charlie Daniels and Simon Francis matched Smith's 34 starts.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who played 35 games, and Joshua King – the striker started 31 matches – were the only other members of Eddie Howe's side to top 30 league starts during the campaign.

Accordingly, Smith says it is vital to make the most of his downtime this summer.

When the 26-year-old and his team-mates reconvene, however, he sees no reason for that formidable defence to be split up, as boss Howe seeks to build on an excellent 2016-17 season.

"We can keep playing together for as long as we all stay fit," said Smith. "We all know how each other play and we are a good back four.

"To finish where we did last season was a great achievement for the lads, the staff and the whole club.

"Hopefully, we can stay together as a defence and try to have an even better season.

"The way we play and train – the gaffer gets us training so hard each day and prepares us so well for the games – it is hard, mentally and physically, to keep that up for the entire season. Especially in the Premier League, with the tempo and the number of games.

"It will be nice to get away and forget about football for a few weeks."