Poch confirms interest in reported Liverpool target

Matt Stead

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted his interest in Michy Batshuayi, by saying the Marseille striker has “good potential”.

The 22-year-old Belgium international has been linked with moves to Liverpool, West Ham, Juventus and Spurs in recent months, but admitted earlier this week he would only leave OM for a club in the Champions League.

Batshuayi only signed a new contract with the French side in January, which lasts until 2020, but he is still expected to leave Marseille at the end of the season amid mounting interest after a season in which he has scored 19 goals so far.

And it is understood Pochettino’s side are leading the race to sign the £25million-rated forward after it emerged the club had held advanced talks to bring him to White Hart Lane in the summer.

Spurs are in the market to bolster their attacking ranks as they look to provide cover for first-choice striker Harry Kane and Pochettino admits the Marseille man is one of a number of players they are currently scouting.

“We are looking for a striker this summer, that’s clear,” Pochettino told French radio station RMC.

“Michy’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He is on the list of many clubs.

“We have quite a few people who have given us information about him. He has good potential. We’ll see.

“We have other players in our sights too.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to have identified Batshuayi as a priority target as he looks set to overhaul his squad ahead of his first full season in charge, while West Ham hope Dimitri Payet’s influence could play a part in luring Batshuayi to east London, with the Frenchman having played alongside him at Marseille.