When Spanish newspaper AS claimed Tottenham Hotspur interest in signing Carles Alena from Barcelona this summer, it was always likely to wind up the Catalan media.
It’s Mauricio Pochettino said to be leading the interest, which will further wind up the Barcelona leaning section of Catalonia’s sport media. The Tottenham manager used to both play and manage Barcelona’s city rivals Espanyol, and has made it clear a piece of his football heart remains at the club.
Within hours, Catalan newspaper Sport have bitten back and dismissed Pochettino’s ‘desperate attempt’ to snatch Alena. Sport say Alena is Barcelona through and through and has decided to stay with the club beyond this season, so that’s tough for Tottenham.
It’s reiterated that Pochettino’s attempt is ‘desperate’ and that Spurs are too late, with the tone almost mocking.
Does Tottenham interest in the 19 year old midfielder even exist? That could be debatable, Spurs may have been dragged in as a prop in the Madrid-Barcelona football domestic.
