Mauricio Pochettino has admitted Tottenham Hotspur have been left “vulnerable” to a post-Premier League transfer window raid by their European rivals, and accused English clubs of shooting themselves in the foot.

The Spurs manager underlined his desire to win a first trophy with the club this season, but is sweating on the futures of a number of his first-team players before the Spanish, French, Italian and German transfer windows shut on Sept 2.​

That gives the likes of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan three weeks to launch a bid for Christian Eriksen, who ­revealed he is ready for a new challenge and only has a year remaining on his contract. ​

Defenders Toby ­Alderweireld, who has interested Roma, and Jan Vertonghen have also entered the final 12 months of their deals, while Danny Rose could yet attract an ­offer from Paris St-Germain, Atletico or Juventus.​

“I think that makes Tottenham more vulnerable,” said Pochettino, whose team entertain newly promoted Aston Villa on Saturday. “That’s ­between the club and the players, and there are different personal situations that will happen until the end when the windows shut across Europe.”​

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had valued Eriksen at £130 million towards the end of last season, but may now face the ­dilemma of whether to sell him for less than £50 million to an overseas club or risk the Dane leaving on a free transfer next summer.​