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Pochettino Confirms Tottenham’s Interest in Batshuayi

By Alexander Balano

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Mauricio Pochettino the head coach / manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Mauricio Pochettino the head coach / manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham are looking to sign a striker this summer and their interest in Michy Batshuayi continues to grow with Mauricio Pochettino confirming that the Belgian forward is a transfer target.

Mauricio Pochettino rarely, if ever, talks about Tottenham’s transfer targets with the media. But it seems that with the 2015-16 season nearly over and the summer transfer window quickly approaching, the Argentine manager has shed some light on a not so secret, player of interest.

Related Story: Michy Batshuayi Prefers to Join Tottenham over West Ham

Only days after Michy Batshuayi spoke about a potential move to join Tottenham — in a what if scenario — and turn down offers from Juventus and West Ham United, Pochettino has just added another layer into this transfer rumor according to the London Evening Standard.

A possible signing for the 22-year-old Belgian striker could happen if Spurs and Olympique Marseille are able to work out a deal from now until the start of the transfer window. Otherwise other clubs could swoop in first.

And since Olympique Lyon and Tottenham were able to hash out a transfer for Clinton N’Jie last summer, Spurs have had prior success in getting players from Ligue 1. With Hugo Lloris being the most notably signing four years ago of course.

While this is nothing but speculation, hearing Mauricio Pochettino lay out his plans this early, shows that his squad needs a striker to help boost the Premier League’s number one ranked offense. And if Batshuayi isn’t available, there are other options.

TOULOUSE, FRANCE – JANUARY 13: Michy Batshuayi for Marseille in action during the French League Cup quarter final between Toulouse and Marseille at Stadium Municipal on January 13, 2016 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images)
TOULOUSE, FRANCE – JANUARY 13: Michy Batshuayi for Marseille in action during the French League Cup quarter final between Toulouse and Marseille at Stadium Municipal on January 13, 2016 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images) /

“We are looking for a striker this summer, that’s clear,” Pochettino told French radio station RMC. “Michy’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He is on the list of many clubs.”

“We have quite a few people who have given us information about him. He has good potential. We’ll see.”

“We have other players in our sights too.”

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As for any other possible signings, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Tottenham’s interest in another player.

This time it’s 22-year-old center-back, Samuel Umtiti, who currently plays for Olympique Lyon.

“Umtiti is one of the players that our recruitment department is following,” Pochettino added. “He has interesting potential.”

After a total of four transfer windows (summer and winter) since Pochettino joined Tottenham, he has completely overhauled the team’s squad from André Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood’s managerial days.

Now with the return of Champions League football, Spurs will be in the market for some depth, and perhaps experience, to help add to an already growing group of players who have achieved a lot in just two seasons with Pochettino at the helm.

Next: How Spurs Drew: Home vs West Brom

Assuming that both Michy Batshuayi and Samuel Umtiti aren’t available for Tottenham, then it’s to be expected that Spurs will target other players and will no doubt take their sweet time to sign a player that fits the Club’s profile from a human being standpoint. As well as fitting into Mauricio Pochettino’s philosophy to high-press and play defense.

If Spurs can sign Batshuayi and Umtiti, it’s highly unlikely that they would be done in the transfer window as a defensive midfielder is still needed with Nabil Bentaleb’s future looking quite uncertain with each passing day.