Pochettino wants Paraguayan to replace Janssen at Spurs – report

Antonio Sanabria: Linked with Tottenham move

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Real Betis striker Antonio Sanabria as the club bid to find cover and competition for Harry Kane.

The Paraguay hitman has caught the eye of Mauricio Pochettino after scoring four goals in 18 La Liga appearances this term and reports in Estadio Deportivo claim the Tottenham boss is considering a summer bid.

The report claims Pochettino is a big fan of the former Roma hitman and is looking for more options in attack next season and after the disappointing form of Vincent Janssen.

Janssen, who arrived from Vitesse Arnhem in a €20million deal last summer, has failed to make the most of any opportunities afforded to him by Pochettino.

Although Pochettino has spoken publicly about his support for Janssen, it’s claimed Spurs could still offload the Dutchman and replace him with Sanabria this summer.

The 21-year-old Sanabria was brought to Roma in 2014 having been nurtured in the Barcelona youth academy but was subsequently loaned out to Sporting Gijon where he spent the entire last season.

It was expected that he would be pushing for a starting place at the Stadio Olimpico this term but coach Luciano Spalletti decided to cash in on him by selling him to Real Betis.

Now, it seems, the striker could be on the move again, with Tottenham tipped to be his next destination.

Speaking about Janssen’s struggles at Tottenham this season and his decision to have stern words with the player, Pochettino said: “It’s true that in some period of the season his form was down.

“He needed a wake-up [call] to be reminded that the possibility of playing could arrive.

“He is very young. He came from Holland. I’m happy with him and all the players, but I understand they are not happy with some situations.

“He is okay, he is motivated, confident – he is feeling a little bit of relief after his first goal from open play and that is important. I am happy in the way that he trained this week too.”