Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris claims Antonio Conte 's links with Paris Saint-Germain should come as no surprise as "all the best managers" are targets for the Ligue 1 giants.
Reports in France earlier this month claimed Spurs boss Conte has been added to PSG's shortlist as they prepare for a potential change in the dugout this summer. Parc des Princes chiefs are desperate for a maiden Champions League triumph but Mauricio Pochettino oversaw a calamitous exit from the competition at the hands of Real Madrid.
Conte, meanwhile, was only appointed to the Spurs hot seat in November but he is highly-rated and no stranger to managing Europe's giant sides having previously taken charge of Juventus, Inter Milan and Chelsea. Therefore, Lloris insists reports of the Italian being on PSG's radar come as no surprise.
"I think all the best managers are linked with PSG since they are chasing elite status and a Champions League victory," the Frenchman told Europe 1. "And for that, they try to trust the best. So we know the football industry. All these rumours, all this speculation. We're in our bubble and we're doing the best for our club." Although PSG suffered a humbling Champions League exit, Pochettino has led them to a huge lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table as he eyes his first top-flight title.
Lloris spent five-and-a-half seasons working under the Argentine in North London and spoke highly of their relationship both professionally and personally. He added: "There was this experience with Mauricio Pochettino. For me, it goes beyond the framework of football, there is a relationship of friendship that has been created. Even if we were able to make sense of things, I learned a lot by his side."
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Lloris also reserved special praise for Conte as he aims to lead a resurgent Spurs outfit towards a top-four finish in the Premier League. "Since the arrival of Antonio Conte, we sense a real progression," the 35-year-old said. "We sense a real direction and even if we had a few difficulties in February, we get the feeling that we're taking it to the next level as a team and I think we'll be ready for the final push to go and get a European spot."
Spurs are fifth in the table, three points behind bitter rivals Arsenal, who also have a game in hand ahead of what is shaping up to be a blockbuster finale to the season. Conte has led his side to four wins in their last five games and Lloris has helped them keep an impressive three clean sheets in that time.
