Paper round-up: Speculation over Pochettino’s future continues

© Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with Real Madrid.

Pochettino has long been linked with the Spanish club and has inevitably been touted for the job following their sacking of Julen Lopetegui.

The Daily Telegraph claim Spurs players fear Pochettino could leave next summer if Real or Manchester United come in for him.

Pochettino has also been touted as a possible replacement for United boss Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with a return to Real.

The Telegraph say sources close to Pochettino insist there is no chance of him leaving mid-season and that he wants to lead Spurs at their new stadium, but that some players feel he could go at the end of the campaign.

The Sun declare that Real are prepared to wait for Pochettino until the summer and will double his wages to £17m a year.

The Sun claim Real chiefs plan to offer him a five-year deal worth £85m and that former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who had been tipped to get the job, is a back-up option.

The Daily Mail, on the other hand, reports that Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is the favourite to take over at Real.

Spanish newspaper AS say ex-Swansea manager Michael Laudrup – a former Real player – has turned the job down.

Meanwhile, the Mail say UEFA have expressed concern about the state of the pitch at Wembley ahead of Spurs’ Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven there.

And the Daily Mirror say Tottenham have had to borrow an extra £237m from three different banks in order get the building of their new stadium finished.