Tottenham Hotspur linked with Jean-Philippe Mateta who is reportedly a long-term Mauricio Pochettino target

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Reports in Italy are suggesting that Tottenham Hotspur could be interested in a potential deal for Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. 

According to CalcioMercato, Spurs are said to be keen on the Frenchman, who has been in fine form for the German side this season, scoring 10 goals in nine games for the Carnival Club.

But this is not the first time Tottenham have been linked with a move for the player. 

In fact, twice during Mauricio Pochettino’s time in charge of Spurs, the North London club were said to be interested in the goalscoring frontman. 

Back in 2016, the player’s agent Franck Belhassen spoke with Foot Mercato of interest from Tottenham after Mateta had enjoyed a stellar season with Chateauroux. However, the player was not keen to make a move away from France at that point in his career, so decided to join Lyon instead. 

From there, Mateta found his way to Mainz in 2018 and immediately hit the ground running with an impressive debut campaign. 

It led to reports from SportBild, as relayed by several sources including Sport Witness and 90min, in October 2019 that Pochettino had even been in contact with Mateta’s agent by phone regarding a potential move for the talented French frontman. 

Regardless of whether that was true or not, Pochettino was fired a month later and any potential interest slipped away. 

However, it now seems as though his successor is also impressed by the Frenchman and perhaps Tottenham might finally get their hands on a long-term Pochettino target.