Tottenham dismiss talk of move for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero
Mauricio Pochettino has laughed off speculation that Tottenham are interested in signing Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
Pochettino chuckled when quizzed on whether Spurs were tracking Aguero, then scotched rumours linking the White Hart Lane club with the Argentinian frontman.
Reports in the Spanish press have claimed Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea are all weighing up bids for Aguero, who has not been assured of a starting berth in recent weeks.
Asked if Tottenham had any interest in Aguero, manager Pochettino said: "Not true, 100 per cent not true."
Pochettino also indicated Harry Kane could return for Spurs' north London derby clash at Arsenal on Sunday, November 6.
Kane has been sidelined with knee trouble since Spurs' 1-0 home win over Sunderland on September 18, but Pochettino remains hopeful the England striker is closing in on full fitness.
Tottenham host Leicester on Saturday, then entertain Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, before travelling to the Emirates Stadium.
"It's difficult to know with Harry, but we'll see," said Pochettino, confirming the 23-year-old will miss the Leicester match.
"If not Wednesday, maybe Sunday (for Arsenal). If not, we have to wait two weeks until after the international break."
Defender Toby Alderweireld will also miss Saturday's Leicester clash with knee trouble, and could also return either to face Leverkusen or Arsenal.
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri thinks fewer points will be needed to win the Premier League this season, thus disagreeing with Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger's prediction.
The Foxes defied odds of 5,000-1 to become champions of England last season, amassing 81 points to do so and finishing 10 points in front of Wenger's team.
Wenger, a Premier League winner with Arsenal three times but not since 2004, said at his club's recent AGM that 86 points might be required to lift the trophy this season.
However, Ranieri believes that the competitive nature of the division this time round means a lower tally may be enough.
"This season I think there are so many teams fighting for the title and when there are so many teams maybe the total can go down," said the Italian.
"He's an expert on the Premier League, if Arsene says 86 he's right. I believe a little less but he's a boss. He has more experience, no? Twenty years. Me only five.
"There are so many teams who are fighting for the title this year there will be a very good battle until the end and we must fight."
Leicester's defence of their title has seen them take 11 points from their first nine matches, leaving them 12th in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham.
The Foxes have struggled to reproduce last season's form, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez yet to hit their straps.
Both players were this week nominated for the Ballon d'Or, making the initial 30-man longlist, in recognition for their contribution during the 2015-16 campaign. Striker Vardy scored 24 goals while Mahrez netted 17 times and provided 11 assists from the wing.
Ranieri insists he will keep the Leicester stars grounded and will not be afraid to drop either should they allow the nomination to go to their heads and fail to perform.
"I will take them out (of) the squad," he said. "It is the first time Leicester has had players nominated, so I'm very proud of them.
"They deserved it and I hope they can go on again and make the shortlist.
"It is a great achievement for them. To be nominated for the golden ball is something special.
"But every day they must show they are strong and ambitious. Every day is new - the past is the past. Every day they must prove themselves to be hungry.
"Every player wants to play - they are no different, but I'm a strong man and I'll decide. That is my philosophy. What we did, is the past. Every day is new - the future. If you don't run there is no future.
"I will take them out of the squad and that keeps them on the ground."
Source: PAR
