Mauricio Pochettino delivered a stinging rebuke to former Barcelona captain Xavi for linking Dele Alli with a move to Manchester City — and insisted Tottenham will only sell players they do not want to keep.

Several Tottenham stars are coveted by Europe's biggest clubs after another strong campaign but Pochettino is determined to keep his young team together.

Xavi claimed his old Barca boss Pep Guardiola is considering a move for Alli at the end of the season but the Spurs boss, who played for and coached Barcelona's city rivals Espanyol, hit back.

Mauricio Pochettino says he is not paying any attention to Xavi's comments on Dele Alli

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi says Pep Guardiola is lining up a move for Alli this summer

'Xavi is my enemy and tried to destroy our focus to win,' said Pochettino. 'Maybe he is working for Manchester City, he wants to help Guardiola.

'He hates me because he is a Barcelona player and a fan. I know him very well, I played against him a lot and when I was a manager.

'The good thing is we have the plan to try to improve and we will deliver it when we finish the season.

The Tottenham manager enjoyed a healthy rivalry with Xavi during his time at Espanyol

Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy both share the same ambition for this young side

'My relationship with Daniel Levy is so close and the players we want to keep, we will keep, because he's told me we don't need money.

'We will take the best decisions for the club.'

He added: 'Clubs with a lot of potential are now focused on our talented players because we're doing good things.'