Tottenham Hotspur: Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti flattered by Mauricio Pochettino interest

Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti admits he is flattered by interest from Tottenham Hotspur, but would prefer a move to Spain.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed Umtiti, 22, is a player the club are monitoring ahead of the summer transfer window. But while the former France Under-21 international welcomed the comments, he would prefer a move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

"It is flattering that Pochettino is interested in me, he is a manager that I like and his team is performing well," Umtiti told Telefoot. "I want to finish this season well, that is my priority. I watch all the leagues but I think that the Spanish league suits me the best, in terms of my qualities. I like Barcelona as much as I like Real."

However, Spurs have already been warned that Lyon have no desire to cash in on Umtiti or his teammate Alexandre Lacazette, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool and West Ham United.

Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas told Eurosport: "Our aim is to keep them. There is nothing real, nothing concrete."

Pochettino spoke openly about Tottenham's summer transfer plans in an interview with French radio station RMC last week, claiming Umtiti is "one of the players that our recruitment department is following."

The Argentine coach also confirmed the club's interest in Marseille striker, Michy Batshuayi. While the Belgium international singed a new contract with the Ligue 1 club in January, a bid from north London is likely to arrive in the summer.

"We are looking for a striker this summer," Pochettino said. "Batshuayi is a young player who has a lot of talent. He is logically followed by many clubs. We have information about him, he has good potential. Then we will see, we also have other players in our sights."