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Report: Tottenham aware Pochettino met Barcelona president this week

Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic

Let the rumours begin.

Tottenham knew of a meeting between manager Mauricio Pochettino and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu earlier this week, a source from the Premier League club told ESPN FC's Dan Kilpatrick.

The outing took place at a Barcelona restaurant amid suggestions Pochettino could succeed the outgoing Luis Enrique on the Camp Nou bench. Even though Spurs were made aware of the encounter, it's not certain whether the two spoke about the soon-to-be vacant position.

It could have been nothing more than a visit, as Kilpatrick's source indicates Pochettino and Bartomeu are friends. The 45-year-old gaffer also owns property in the Catalan capital.

Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas said reports the pair "held" a meeting are "inaccurate," and that they met by chance.

Pochettino previously played for and coached Barcelona's overshadowed local rival, Espanyol, before embarking on a managerial career in England, but he has not explicitly ruled himself out of the running to replace Enrique next summer.

Enrique, 46, announced earlier in the month he would not seek another term in charge of the Blaugrana, citing a need to rest after three successful years at the helm.

Spanish media have drawn up a list of potential candidates for the job, including Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde and current Barcelona assistant Juan Carlos Unzue.

Pochettino has put together a much-improved CV since his tenure in Spain, doing excellent work with Southampton before encouraging high tempo at Tottenham. His side challenged Leicester City for the Premier League title last season, only to finish behind rival Arsenal in third. But the north London outfit is back in second place this year as it fights to lock down a Champions League spot.

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