Poch determined to make White Hart Lane Destro’s destination

Despite reports that new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is planning to dismantle former club Southampton, in a bid to sign their star players, his first order of business looks set to be Roma’s Italian striker Mattia Destro, who is in his country’s World Cup squad.

One of Pochettino’s deal sweeteners was that he was promised funds to help re-shape the squad, though is thought to be concentrating on signing youth. Destro at 23, fits the bill nicely, and Spurs’ new boss will want to secure his signature before the tournament in Brazil starts.

The striker is one of the most promising youngsters around, having scored 13 goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season, and is said to have topped Pochettino’s wish list at the St Mary’s for the summer.

Spurs, who are 11/4 to finish in the top four next term, do appear short on the forward front. Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado are the only established strikers on their books, with 20-year-old Harry Kane yet to really cut his teeth. Destro would represent a signal of intent from Poch as to how they might play.

Although finishing is the main string on his bow; link-up play features heavily in a repertoire that harmonises well with the rest of his orchestra. It has been suggested that the reason for Soldado’s poor first season is that he plays better in a front two, with someone who can compliment and service his ability.

In Destro, the Spaniard will have someone who can do just that. This could, however, mean a re-shape to an attacking 4-3-3 or a Brendan Rodgers-esque diamond, with Christian Eriksen in the hole. Arguably, the north London side played their best football when they deployed two players up front, most recently Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane – a tactic that was a favourite of Harry Redknapp.

Pochettino will have other targets in mind, not least a host of Southampton players. For now, he’s focused on an Italian job.