Christian Eriksen’s Tottenham future is in doubt after Mauricio Pochettino admitted the player’s contract situation is still some way off being resolved.
Eriksen has entered the last 18 months of a deal that expires in the summer of 2020 and while Pochettino is keen to keep the midfielder, he is unsure over the Denmark international’s future.
“What’s going to happen between him and the club is not only in our hands,” Pochettino told a news conference ahead of Friday’s FA Cup tie at Tranmere.
“I’m not a person that suffers too much in this type of situation because football is dynamic. Football is about interests that as managers or head coaches we sometimes cannot manage. It depends on many things in this business — different parties that have interests.
“Of course [he] is such an important player for Tottenham and of course as a person or as a professional coach or manager, you would like to have this type of player with you. But in the end it’s a negotiation and different parties have different interests.
ALSO READ:Â Dortmund targets Hazard for Pulisic replacement
“It will be fantastic if Christian is going to be committed with the club for the long-term — if not, it’s his right to do what he wants to do.”
Pochettino has also raised doubts over Mousa Dembele’s future. With the midfielder’s contract expiring in the summer, Spurs would have to sell the 31-year-old this month to avoid losing him for free at the end of the season.
“There’s still no news,” said Pochettino. “Again, like Eriksen — a different situation — it’s not only in our hands. It’s about to negotiate, to talk and see what the different parties want.
“I don’t know [if he will be sold this month]. That’s going to be a club decision, of course involved with the player and the people that are with him.”
Spurs are seeking to add to the homegrown contingent in their squad, and a source has told ESPN FC they are interested in Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen.
But asked about the 22-year-old, Pochettino said: “I heard for the first time yesterday this name. It’s like many names that appear in the media — rumours.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino has responded to Cardiff manager Neil Warnock’s view that Tottenham should be forced to spend the rest of the season at Wembley.
ALSO READ: ‘Manchester United plan trip to Dubai before Spurs clash’
The north Londoners are aiming to move to their new home in the coming weeks and Warnock fears Cardiff’s relegation rivals could get an unfair advantage if Spurs’ form dips in their new surroundings.
However, Pochettino said: “It’s going to be an advantage for us rather than a disadvantage for us. I think it’s going to be a massive boost for us to play in our new stadium. My thought is that it will be the opposite [to what he said].
“To play in our new stadium will be a massive boost for our players and the fans. It’s going to be a fantastic thing for us.
“Look what happened at Wembley — we lost against Wolves. You can win or lose in different stadiums. Sure it’s going to be easier for us to create a better atmosphere in our new stadium because it’s going to be our home.”