Levy will ask £42m for Poch
TOTTENHAM will demand Real Madrid pay up every penny of the £42million new deal just signed by Mauricio Pochettino – if he leaves for the Bernabeu.
And club sources say Spurs chairman Daniel Levy already has targets in mind if his Argentinian manager is determined to quit.
It is believed Levy would not stand in Pochettino’s way – but he would insist that Real Madrid pay in full for his move.
A highly placed Spurs source said: “Daniel Levy is a smart guy and he knows a Real Madrid approach for the manager would put Pochettino in a difficult position, despite just signing a new deal.
“Real Madrid are the right club for Pochettino – eventually – but it’s just come at the wrong time as far as Spurs are concerned.
“Pochettino has been aware for at least the last six months that the Madrid job might be up for grabs this summer – just not that Zinedine Zidane would make the decisive move himself.
“Even knowing that Madrid were looking to change managers, he still chose to sign a new deal. He didn’t have to.
“And he didn’t do that to protect Spurs because that would only make it more difficult for Madrid to strike a deal for him.
“The chairman had long discussions with the manager, regarding the direction of the club, and that persuaded him to sign a new contract.
“Because of that the club is still hopeful that he will stay.
“But nothing is certain when Madrid have their eyes on someone they want – whether it be a player or manager.”