Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham may not sign anyone despite Jack Grealish and Geoffrey Kondogbia transfer talk

Spurs are yet to sign a single player this summer and Pochettino believes the Premier League have put themselves at a disadvantage by closing the transfer window early

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur may head into the new Premier League season without any new signings as he does not know what will happen to his squad between now and the end of the transfer window next week.

The Spurs boss admitted that the Premier League has put itself at a massive disadvantage by choosing to close the transfer window earlier than the rest of Europe, and with Spurs yet to sign anyone this summer, there are fears that they could enter the new campaign with an understrength squad.

That is almost certain given that their nine World Cup semi-finalists – featuring the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen – are yet to return to the club and are likely to miss the opening weekend trip to Newcastle United unless they can get up-and-running in the space of a week.

Having been strongly linked with Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, as well as Valencia’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, the club could yet bring in reinforcements for the campaign as they look to mount a serious Premier League title bid. But Pochettino has cast doubt on the prospect of signing anyone before next Thursday’s 17:00 deadline, raising fears that the club are failing to build on last season’s fourth-place finish and FA Cup semi-final appearance.

“Last season I told you some numbers, but this season we don’t know,” Pochettino said ahead of Spurs’ final pre-season game of their US tour against AC Milan.

“I don’t know if we are going to sign or not. We’re working on that.

“I cannot tell you if we’re going to sign one, zero or two or three or four. We’re working.

“It’s true that it’s so close, the transfer window is so close, but the club’s doing everything to help the team and add some players, more quality, and try to help us in the season to achieve what we want.”

The Argentine believes that part of the problem that English clubs are experiencing stems from closing the transfer window earlier than usual, particularly after the World Cup. Premier League clubs voted 17-3 in favour of shutting the window before the start of the season, but only Serie A followed suit and Italy’s opening weekend comes a week later than the Premier League, giving them more time to get deals over the line.

All the other major European leagues have until the end of the month to chase players, meaning the Premier League could yet be plucked of their best players without the chance to sign replacements, and Pochettino believes the decision has been a bad one.

Jack Grealish remains on Tottenham's radar as he ponders leaving Aston Villa (PA)

“If you compare with Europe I think you are in complete disadvantage and sure it does not help the clubs in the Premier League,” he added.

“We are all in the same situation in England. It's clear that today I don't know if the rest of the teams are happy with that decision.

“Personally I think it's not right. I think it's right if you agree with all of Europe and all the different countries. In that situation I think it didn't help or it's not going to help the Premier League clubs or the clubs in England to have the same possibility to another contender.

Geoffrey Kondogbia is being linked with a move to Tottenham (Getty)

“We are going to compete in the Champions League and to have 20 days less is I think not a thing that is going to help us.

“But it wasn't my decision. I never gave my opinion on that.”

Spurs face struggling Milan in the early hours of Wednesday morning, before flying to Spain for their final pre-season friendly against Girona on Saturday evening.