Chelsea target Mauricio Pochettino set for crunch Tottenham talks

It’s a make or break week for Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino, with the Argentine manager set to hold what the Daily Mail describes as “crunch talks” with chairman Daniel Levy about his future.

Despite finishing third in the Premier League and qualifying automatically for next season’s Champions League, Tottenham once again failed to get their hands on a trophy, and the disappointing way in which they succumbed to Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League points to a squad that needs reinforcing between now and August.

The Mail says that the 46-year-old Pochettino is ready to stay at Spurs - particularly as they return to White Hart Lane after a season spent squatting at Wembley - but he will “ask for a minimum £100m transfer budget” in order to take the club to the next level.

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In addition, he will demand a pay rise on his current wage, reportedly a modest £5.5m a year, in recognition of the fact he is “one of the best young managers in Europe”.

At the weekend Pochettino (whose current contract runs until 2021) threw his future into doubt by “suggesting his position depends on the level of investment the board are willing to inject to improve the team”, and consequently Levy will sit down with the South American in what are expected to be candid discussions.

The Mail says that a transfer war chest will also be at the heart of these negotiations with Pochettino demanding £100m in order to strengthen his squad. Among the players on his shopping list are Manchester United striker Anthony Martial, Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and Fulham’s teenage star Ryan Sessegnon

And what if the talks don’t go well? According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are lurking in the background with owner Roman Abramovich ready to make a move for Pochettino.

Antonio Conte’s future is in doubt after the club’s failure to make an impression in either the Champions or Premier Leagues, and Sky Sports says that the Tottenham boss has been identified as his likely successor.

Recent rumours have linked Luis Enrique and Maurizio Sarri to the Chelsea hot-seat but apparently Abramovich believes Pochettino has the youth, charisma and vision to restore the Blues’ reputation.