Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has denied transfer speculation linking French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a move away from the club, as reports of late have suggested he is eager for a move away from Spurs in order to secure regular UEFA Champions League football again, as he was with French side Lyon.
According to news reports over the past few weeks, Lloris is set to decide his future in the summer if Tottenham fail to finish in the top four once more, which they are virtually unable to secure with five matches left to play. He signed a new five-year contract deal in July last year, so it would take a hefty transfer fee to even let Tottenham consider selling one of their best players, but Pochettino was quick to deny the rumours in a press conference earlier today.
The former Saints boss said the following in his news conference: "There is no change, nothing from four, five or six months ago when we spoke about the rumour [before]. Hugo wants to play the Champions League here for Tottenham and these are rumours. Nothing is true; nothing has changed the situation. He is happy ehre and wants to reach the Champions League with Tottenham - that is his dream."
Spurs are seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, and are currently on course to qualify for a UEFA Europa League spot next season, something that Pochettino is not entirely happy about due to the inconvienient timing of Europa League and Premier League fixtures. He also stated: "This season realistically it is very difficult to reach the top four. We need to try - we have five games ahead - but at the same time I don't want to lie. It is not easy to reach the top four, realistically."