Mauricio Pochettino rubs salt into Tottenham wounds with ‘No 1’ Chelsea goal

Mauricio Pochettino appears to be like set to rub salt into Tottenham wounds upon arrival at Chelsea after reportedly putting Lautaro Martinez on the prime of his striker wish-list. The Argentine tactician is seemingly ready to pursue a switch for the Inter Milan frontman two years after the World Cup winner agreed to affix Spurs for £60million – just for the deal to break down within the remaining phases.

Chelsea had been largely accountable after submitting a club-record £97.5m provide for Martinez’s strike companion Romelu Lukaku.

It quickly turned clear Inter didn’t need to promote each gamers – which means Tottenham had been left to lick their wounds as Daniel Levy’s uncommon present ambition didn’t bear fruit.

Had Martinez joined, there may be each likelihood Manchester City could have gotten their want and signed Harry Kane that summer season, though Tottenham sources have at all times indicated that the Inter Milan centre-forward was focused to play alongside the England captain – to not substitute him.

Nonetheless, The Mail are actually reporting that the 25-year-old striker is Pochettino’s No 1 ahead goal this summer season, when he’ll take over from Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

It means not solely will Tottenham followers must bear the brunt of seeing Pochettino in cost at Stamford Bridge however they could even have to observe their former boss signal a participant that was agonisingly near becoming a member of Spurs – a signing they might have relished.

Other names on Pochettino’s shortlist embrace Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen.

There is nonetheless, large doubt as as to whether the Blues will be capable to afford the £130m-rated Nigerian this summer season as Napoli boss Aurelio De Laurentiis feels underneath no obligation to promote.

Osimhen (23 objectives) is the one participant to outscore Inter Milan marksman Martinez (20) in Serie A this season having additionally fired Napoli to the Scudetto.

Pochettino can also be considered eager on a reunion with Tottenham talisman Kane ought to he turn into obtainable this summer season nevertheless it’s extremely unlikely Spurs can be ready to promote to a direct rival.

Kane can have one 12 months left on his contract on the finish of June which means Tottenham could possibly be pressured to cash-in in the event that they fail to agree a brand new contract with the Three Lions skipper.

Other summer season switch targets for Pochettino are mentioned to incorporate Declan Rice, Emiliano Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister.

Arsenal are at present on the entrance of the queue for Rice as they’ll be capable to provide Champions League soccer subsequent season – one thing Chelsea is not going to.

World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez is known to be open to leaving Aston Villa ought to the best alternative arrive.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are main the cost for his worldwide team-mate Mac Allister, who’s valued at £70m by Brighton following his barnstorming marketing campaign on the South Coast.

Having splashed nicely over £600m in simply two switch home windows underneath Todd Boehly, Chelsea are anticipated to tone down the spending this summer season.

That mentioned, they’ll nonetheless be capable to finance a major splurge by way of participant gross sales as Pochettino seeks to filter the deadwood inside his inflated squad.