Tottenham: Harry Kane not for sale but Mauricio Pochettino 'not surprised' by Real Madrid interest

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is not for sale but boss Mauricio Pochettino is not surprised by reports linking the England international to Real Madrid. Kane is Spurs' top scorer this season and has been labelled as one of the best strikers in the world by his manager amid further speculation regarding his future.

The Daily Telegraph understand that Real have been tracking Kane for almost 12 months and hope that the club's relationship with chairman Daniel Levy mean a deal could be agreed in the upcoming summer transfer window. Manchester United have been linked with 22-year-old but the manner of the departures of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale from White Hart Lane suggest it is unlikely Kane will move to a Premier League rival in the event of his exit.

Kane signed a new contract last February, committing to Tottenham until 2020 but could be handed fresh terms by the north London club this season, which would see him become among their top earners. The former Norwich City and Leicester city loanee has no plans to leave however and according to Pochettino is among the greatest assets on the planet.

"In this case the good thing is Tottenham do not want to sell him and Harry Kane wants to stay," Pochettino told a pre-match press conference to preview the FA Cup third round clash with Leicester, according to BBC Sport. "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in Europe or in the world. It would not surprise me if big clubs are interested in him but I think it is only a rumour.

"Harry Kane is not for sale," the Argentine coach added. "The good thing is Harry wants to stay with us, this is the most important thing. Sometimes a manager can say a player is not for sale but if he wants to leave there are a lot of examples when it happens."

With the third round cup game coming amid a hectic schedule in the Premier League, Kane could be among a throng of players rested for the visit of Claudio Ranieri's side. Pochettino says Tottenham will take the competition seriously, despite the fixture pile-up but is ready to give a number of fringe players the opportunity to impress.

"The FA Cup is not a distraction; it is the oldest competition in the world," he added. "We respect the competition a lot. We have a strong squad and it is true we come off a very busy period at Christmas but this is a good opportunity for some players who deserve to play in the starting XI consistently in the Premier League, to show their quality and fight for his place on the team.

"It is a very important competition. It is true that it is hard when you play Europa League, Capital One Cup, FA Cup and Premier League but we have a strong squad and maybe we can give an opportunity to a player who deserves to play but who doesn't have the chance because the team is doing well. It is very important to win the game on Sunday."