Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he never intended to allow England youth international striker Harry Kane to leave the club on loan.
On Thursday, Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock claimed he tried to sign Kane on loan in the summer, but that Spurs wanted to keep the 21-year-old for the UEFA Europa League fixtures.
“I tried to get him a few times when I came here,” Warnock said.
“He is a good lad and you know what you are going to get with him. He is an exciting player. His first thought when he gets the ball is positive and I like players like that, who commit defenders. He obviously enjoys it, you can tell by the smile on his face. He is a good asset.
“At the time, he was not involved and we felt there was a chance of getting him on loan. But unfortunately they were in that horrible cup on a Thursday night.”
Kane, who is contracted to White Hart Lane until the summer of 2019, has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season; however, just two have come in the English Premier League.
In response to Warnock’s comments, Pochettino said: “It is the first time I have heard this information.
“I have never known it was possible. Our first idea was to keep Harry Kane and give him chances to play.
“My idea was to keep Harry because we believe in him and his potential to play for Tottenham.
“He has since shown we were right in our decision to keep him.
“At the moment Harry is not feeling any pressure. It is important that he is a player who feels the club, he came through the academy and he knows our values.
“He is English, he shows passion and is in very good condition – he is a very important player for us.”
Real Madrid sign Marco Asensio
European champions Real Madrid have completed the signing of teenage winger Marco Asensio from Real Mallorca for a reported fee of €3.9 million.
Asensio, 18, will put pen to paper on a six-year deal with Madrid, but will stay at Mallorca for the remainder of the season.
“RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid have today reached an agreement for the transfer of Marco Asensio to the Madrid club,” read a statement on Mallorca’s official website.
“This agreement, beneficial for both parties and the player, includes his loan to Mallorca until the end of this season and, depending on various factors, the possibility of extending it for the next.
“Mallorca went to thank the player and Madrid for the inclination to play on the island, as a minimum, for the rest of this campaign.”
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
