Mauricio Pochettino being spotted at a Barcelona B match was always going to encourage transfer rumours.
Whilst explanations he was there for something not related to transfers are completely believable and likely the case, links were going to be made… especially with Tottenham being to linked to Barca B players previously.
The Sun published an article talking about interest in Riqui Puig, and that’s made its way back to Spain.
On May 19th Sport Witness covered a report from Catalan newspaper Sport which stated Puig was ‘close’ to signing for Spurs. Talks were described as ‘advanced’ and Pochettino was ‘in love’ with the footballer.
Sport weren’t happy, and said so: ‘Barcelona has to react and bet on a guy who has La Masia DNA and who must succeed at the Camp Nou’.
On May 25th the same newspaper reported that Puig had reached an agreement in principle to extend his stay at Barcelona, and that was the end of that.
The 19 year old didn’t start the 2-1 victory over Cornella, coming on with 16 minutes to go.
Today’s edition of Sport openly doubts whether Pochettino was there to scout players or work on any potential transfers.
The state: ‘In England they assure that Mauricio Pochettino took advantage of the last stop of selections to analyse in direct to Riqui Puig, one of the homegrown ones with greater potential in the soccer base of Barça.’
And then add: ‘The truth is that Pochettino was not incognito and sat in the box. Even Barça echoed his presence on social networks.’
Given the open nature of the visit, any ulterior motive is dismissed.
Marca go along a similar line: ‘In England they have not been slow to draw conclusions from such an illustrious presence.’
Barcelona are not ‘nervous’ and have ‘tranquility’ around the player’s situation. He’s not been a main player for the B side so far this season but the club have ‘patience and confidence’ around the youngster’s future.
When the Spanish media are collectively talking down a transfer rumour, it shows the claims are unlikely… or Pochettino is luring Barcelona into a false sense of security.
