Pochettino phones Coutinho

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has phoned Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho in a bid to convince him to join the club.

The North London club are favourites to secure a last-minute loan deal for the Brazi playmaker, who is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.

The former Liverpool midfielder previously played under Pochettino at Espanyol, and may be open to the switch.

Coutinho earns around £200,000-a-week at Barcelona, which would see him become the best paid-player at Tottenham, should he join.