And although he has recently signed a new four-year deal with the north London club and is sure to figure in Glenn Hoddle’s plans, Carr feels his future could lie away from White Hart Lane.

"I know there has been a lot of speculation in the press recently about my future at Tottenham and I’ve read stories linking me with a move to Barcelona," Carr said.

"Of course you never know how much truth there is in those kind of rumours, but I have to admit it is incredibly flattering when your name is connected to such a prestigious club. It is a huge compliment.

"I have always said that my ambition in the game is to win medals and I would be an idiot if I turned around and said no out of hand if a club like Barcelona came in with a firm offer for me.

"I think any player would have to consider it and I am no different."

Dublin-born Carr, who turns 25 at the end of August, has been with Spurs since 1993, but feels that he could be forced to leave to fulfil his ambitions.

"The days of players spending their entire careers with one club are long gone," he said.

"Players have to move around to realise their ambitions these days and I’ve already moved once - when I left Ireland to join Spurs - to further my career and it’s something I can’t rule out in the future.

"I know fans hate to see their top players leaving, but when you look at the Premiership, as well as the major European leagues, it is a fact of life.

"If the chance came to play abroad, to experience a different football culture and a whole different way of life, then I would think very seriously about it indeed.

"I can’t pretend I didn’t find it incredibly frustrating last season watching my Ireland team-mates at Manchester United and Leeds playing against the likes of Real Madrid and Valencia in the Champions League.

"I’ve played against some of the world’s greatest players at international level and it’s something I’m desperate to experience at club level.

"I’m envious of watching players like Roy Keane and Ian Harte playing in Europe week in, week out.

"I’ve been at Tottenham for nine years and in that time we have only won the Worthington Cup - which is a long time to wait for a single trophy."

Carr also had words of support for under-fire Sol Campbell, who quit White Hart Lane this summer on a free transfer for a lucrative switch to rivals Arsenal.

"If I was him, I would have left as well," added Carr.

‘‘Obviously, a lot of the supporters will feel he has kicked them in the teeth and will want to give him a lot of stick. But what is wrong with him being selfish?

‘‘He has only done what he believes is in his best interests.’’