Pochettino: Real's Morata not a 'realistic' transfer target

For Tottenham supporters hoping that Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata makes a summer Spurs switch, Mauricio Pochettino is here to dampen and dash those dreams.

With reports linking the Spaniard with a move to the English capital, with both Tottenham and Chelsea reportedly interested, Pochettino admits that while he's an admirer of Morata's skill set, a bid for the 24-year-old is not a possibility.

"He's a great kid and a very good player but it's not realistic that situation - thinking Morata (is) for us," Pochettino told the Evening Standard.

"I know Morata from when I started my career at Espanyol," the Argentine gaffer said of the relationship between the two. "The reality was that he sent a text to me when I was manager at Espanyol."

This isn't the first time Pochettino's Spanish ties have prompted speculation.

Pochettino and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu were publicly seen conversing in the Catalan capital over the international break, fuelling talk that the former centre-back was interested in the soon-to-be vacant managerial position at the club.

The Spurs gaffer was quick to refute those links, and as he did then, is claiming that his relationship with Morata does not mean the Spaniard is on his way to the English capital.

"He contacted me - it is possible to give so advice and then we kept our relationship, a good relationship," Pochettino added about the striker who has 11 goals in 20 La Liga appearances this season for Los Blancos.