The Argentinean was in Barcelona on Friday to promote his new book and reiterated his desire to continue his project with Spurs

Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he is happy at Spurs despite reports linking him with the vacant Real Madrid job.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss only signed a new five-year contract with the N17 club last month to signal his commitment to the club.

But the former Argentina defender has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, and discussed the 13-time European club champions on Friday afternoon.

After launching his book ‘A New World’ in Spain, Pochettino told Spanish sports daily AS: “I take it naturally, it does not affect me at all, I am involved in a spectacular project where the motivation is tremendous.

“I renewed my contract recently for another five years, I am happy that people at Tottenham are happy with me. I live in the present, that is the most important thing. I enjoy what is happening and what has to be will be.”

Zidane explained his decision to leave Madrid less than a week after claiming a third Champions League title in a row as “time to go out at the top” in Thursday’s press conference.

Real’s La Liga struggles, finishing third and 17 points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, no doubt factored in World Cup winner Zidane’s decision.

Pochettino quickly shot to the top of bookmakers’ lists for Zidane’s replacement, despite only signing that new deal with Spurs last week.

“When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them but it doesn’t depend on me,” Pochettino told Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.

“I’ve signed a contract and I’m very happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we’re growing together.

“Now I want to focus on planning for next season and keep out of all the speculation.”

It is understood that there is no buy-out clause in Pochettino’s new Spurs deal, and no verbal agreement with chairman Daniel Levy that the 46-year-old could leave if Madrid come calling.