Fulham striker Mousa Dembele would welcome the challenge of testing himself a "step higher" were the chance to come along.

The 24-year-old Belgian forward, signed from AZ in August 2010, has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, who were reported to have had a £10m bid turned down on the final day of the January transfer window.

While Dembele maintains he is more than happy at Craven Cottage, the chance of possibly playing in a team competing at the other end of the Premier League would be something to consider.

It would obviously be a step higher, and that has always been my goal.
Mousa Dembele on a potential move to Tottenham

Speaking to Flemish daily newspaper De Standaard, Dembele said: "I did well last season when I was not injured, through many matches for Fulham, so why not step higher?"

Of Tottenham's reported interest, Dembele added: "Yes, I heard that. It would obviously be a step higher, and that has always been my goal."

However, he was quick to play down a desire to move across London. He said: "I am happy at Fulham and I am under contract here. I am making progress under Martin Jol and adding further dimensions to my game, so I'm happy playing here.

"I want to assure the manager, the fans and of course the chairman, I am fully committed to the club and that any links with other clubs are nothing but speculation, and something I am not even thinking about at this time."

Dembele scored in the Cottagers' recent 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic, and believes he is "evolving" under the guidance of Fulham's Dutch manager Martin Jol.

He said: "My thinking has changed somewhat. I shoot much more on target. The Fulham coach says that I am evolving.

"In the past, I could have gone four games and not taken a shot at goal. That no longer happens. Each match I shoot four times. I have also scored. Not enough, I know, but it will come."