Poch transfer torment

MAURICIO POCHETTINO fears Tottenham are helpless to prevent their long-term transfer targets joining richer clubs.

Spurs have shown an interest in Ross Barkley and Malcom this month, but Barkley has joined Chelsea from Everton and Bordeaux attacker Malcom is edging closer to an Arsenal switch.

Tottenham’s interest in Malcom was largely off the radar until news emerged earlier this month that the club had made an enquiry.

Since then, Arsenal and Manchester United have both made moves for the 20-year-old.

And despite the club’s attempts to keep their targets under wraps, Pochettino is concerned they are at the mercy of richer clubs.

‘It’s difficult to keep secrets,’ he said. ‘ Sometimes the media knows before me the player who we are going to sign. That makes our job difficult. How do you keep it secret? Impossible.

‘Maybe someone near the player is going to talk. Maybe you make an offer and it’s used to talk with another club. It is frustrating. We can’t stop it.’