Mauricio Pochettino appears to be like set to rub salt into Tottenham wounds upon arrival at Chelsea after reportedly inserting 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 hitch Spurs for £60million - just for the deal to break down within the last phases.
Chelsea had been largely guilty after submitting a club-record £97.5m provide for Martinez's strike associate Romelu Lukaku.
It quickly grew to become clear Inter didn't wish 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 probability Manchester Metropolis could have gotten their want and signed Harry Kane that summer time, though Tottenham sources have all the time indicated that the Inter Milan centre-forward was focused to play alongside the England captain - to not change him.
Nonetheless, at the moment are reporting that the 25-year-old striker is Pochettino's No 1 ahead goal this summer time, when he'll take over from Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
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It means not solely will Tottenham followers must bear the brunt of seeing Pochettino in cost at Stamford Bridge however they might even have to look at their former boss signal a participant that was agonisingly near becoming a member of Spurs - a signing they'd have relished.
Different names on Pochettino's shortlist embrace Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen.
There's nevertheless, large doubt as as to whether the Blues will be capable to afford the £130m-rated Nigerian this summer time as Napoli boss Aurelio De Laurentiis feels beneath no obligation to promote.
Osimhen (23 targets) is the one participant to outscore Inter Milan marksman Martinez (20) in Serie A this season having additionally fired Napoli to the Scudetto.
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Pochettino can also be regarded as eager on a reunion with Tottenham talisman Kane ought to he change into obtainable this summer time however it's extremely unlikely Spurs could 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 may very well be pressured to cash-in in the event that they fail to agree a brand new contract with the Three Lions skipper.
Different summer time switch targets for Pochettino are stated to incorporate Declan Rice, Emiliano Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister.
Arsenal are at the moment on the entrance of the queue for Rice as they'll be capable to provide Champions League soccer subsequent season - one thing Chelsea won't.
World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez is known to be open to leaving Aston Villa ought to the proper alternative arrive.
In the meantime, 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 effectively over £600m in simply two switch home windows beneath Todd Boehly, Chelsea are anticipated to tone down the spending this summer time.
That stated, they'll nonetheless be capable to finance a big splurge by way of participant gross sales as Pochettino seeks to filter out the deadwood inside his inflated squad.