Tottenham Hotspur round-up: Pochettino 'focused', Vertonghen extension and Rabiot rejection

By Mathew Nash

Poch ‘focused’

Mauricio Pochettino is being linked with the Manchester United job after Jose Mourinho was sacked this afternoon. The Red Devils are now looking for an interim manager before appointing a new boss in the summer.

The Argentine is believed to be the number one target for United.

The Times have suggested he would cost £34 million in compensation to Tottenham if he left. Speaking to the press today, Pochettino stated he was ‘focused’ on bringing success to Tottenham.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur walks off the pitch after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Vertonghen deal

Jan Vertonghen’s contract has been extended. The Belgian defender had an activation clause in his current deal, which was due to end in the summer.

But Tottenham have killed off any chance of a potential Bosman exit by extending his deal until 2020.

The centre-back is about to enter his seventh year at the club.

Rabiot denial

Adrien Rabiot has reportedly told Tottenham Hotspur he will not be joining the club. The 23-year-old is a free agent next summer and Spurs were said to be one of the interested parties.

However, Le10 Sport has now reported that Rabiot simply does not want to join Spurs.

Barcelona or Juventus now looks like a more likely destination for the French international.