Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that he was interested in bringing in Keita Balde to Tottenham Hotspur before he joined Monaco last year.
After spending six years at Lazio, the forward joined Monaco last summer but did not find success in Ligue 1 during his first season at the club.
He returned to Italy this year when Inter signed him on loan from Monaco and Pochettino, ahead of his side’s clash against the Nerazzurri tonight, admitted that he has had his eyes on Balde for a long time.
Formerly at the Barcelona academy, the Tottenham boss revealed he has been watching the player since he was the coach at Espanyol and indicated he wanted him at Spurs before he decided to join Monaco last summer.
Asked if he had a genuine interest in signing Balde, Pochettino told Sky Italia: “Yes it is true. I have been following him since he was growing up at Barcelona while I was at Espanyol.
“He has always been a player of interest for us, but then he chose Monaco.
“He remains an excellent attacker.”
Balde has started two of Inter’s four league games and it remains to be seen whether he gets an opportunity in the starting eleven when they host Spurs at the Giuseppe Miazza Stadium tonight.
