Spurs manager Pochettino lined up to become AC Milan boss by ex-Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino is AC Milan's chief target to replace Gennaro Gattuso this summer.
Chief-executive Ivan Gazidis - the ex-Arsenal CEO - wants to lure the Argentine from his former club's closest rivals.
Italian newspaper has reported that Gazidis has been impressed by Pochettino's revolution at Spurs.
And with the 47-year-old having offer no assurances over his long-term future an offer could yet prove fruitful.
Manchester United and Real Madrid have both overlooked Pochettino, leaving Milan a free-run at acquiring the coach.
Gattuso is not expected to last beyond the end of the current season and could either resign or be sacked in the summer.
Milan are on course to qualify for next season's Champions League.
They lie fourth in Serie A, a point ahead of closest rivals Atalanta.
GATTUSO ON THE BRINK
But it could all change this weekend with Milan scheduled to face runaway leaders Juventus tonight.
Atalanta meanwhile visit third-place Inter on Sunday.
Gattuso's men are also 90 minutes away from the Coppa Italia final and host Lazio in the semi-final second leg later this month, having drawn the first game 0-0 in Rome as they bid to end an eight-year run without a major trophy.
Nevertheless, the ex-Italy international has grown exacerbated by the continued rumours regarding his future.
Director Leonardo has refused to back Gattuso publicly and insists his future "is not a priority" as the club fight on two fronts.
Pochettino is positioned above Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp in the list of possible candidates to take over at the San Siro.
It’s difficult to say I am now happy and sure I will be here next season
Mauricio Pochettino
The club have finished in the Premier League top three in each of the last three campaigns and are now regulars in the Champions League.
Third place is still on offer this term while they face Manchester City in the last eight of Europe's premier club competition next week.
Such success has come with a wage bill and transfer spend which is dwarfed by their rivals.
Indeed, Tottenham have not made a single signing in the last two windows though Pochettino has admitted he wants funds to improve the squad.
After months of delays, Tottenham played the first match in their new £1billion stadium on Wednesday against Crystal Palace - ushering in a new era at the club.
But despite seemingly having a promising future, Pochettino has avoided committing himself to the club.
He said: ";It does not depend only on me, it’s about Daniel (Levy). Of course I know he is happy with me and that is what he is telling me.
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"But I understand Tottenham is bigger than one person. Tottenham is bigger than one player, Tottenham is bigger than everything.
"Always, you need to feel my position here is I need to fight every day to keep my position. That doesn’t mean I am not comfortable.
"It’s difficult to say I am now happy and sure I will be here next season. If I said that and something wrong happened and I’m not here then you say, ‘Oh Pochettino said he will be here and now he’s not here’."