Mauricio Pochettino aims cheeky dig at Jurgen Klopp with cryptic Romelu Lukaku transfer claim

Mauricio Pochettino aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Jurgen Klopp when he was asked whether Romelu Lukaku could be reintegrated back into the Chelsea squad. The 30-year-old striker has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer, but the Blues have struggled find a suitor willing to take him off their hands.

Ahead of the west Londoners' clash against Luton Town on Friday night, Pochettino was asked what will happen if Chelsea don't offload Lukaku before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. The 51-year-old said: «I'll explain again – if the player and clubs wish is to find a solution, it's not me, it's them.

»In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform to me that things changed. I'm not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.

«Club and the player, both try to find a solution. The future can change things. Life can change,» added Pochettino. «I saw Klopp say I'm not going to be in this business when we should pay £100million, and then they offered £100million and he said 'Oh, I made a mistake'.

»That is the same situation. In football, the dynamic is fast and changes and we need to move on. Today, nothing has changed. If something changes we will adapt to the situation."

With Nicolas Jackson impressing and Armando Broja making his return from injury, Pochettino could have three strikers at his disposal if Lukaku is not sold. On the Albania international, the Chelsea boss said: «He's close but sometimes you are close but last step is difficult after the injury he suffered.

»He has trained well, we have hope also. That is why we are assessing the squad and all of the things that