Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino: Saido Berahino pursuit is like looking for love

Spurs are reportedly weighing up a third bid for Berahino after West Bromwich Albion rejected their latest offer - thought to be in the region of £21 million.

Pochettino remains hopeful of adding a striker to his squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of his side's clash against Everton on Saturday, Pochettino made an interesting analogy when asked why he had not made signing a striker his number one priority this summer.

"It is never easy because there are always a lot of players around the world that you can sign," he said. "It's like when you are in love with some lady - there are a lot of women around the world - but you want only one. Sometimes it is impossible. It's about love. And in football it is the same."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly reluctant to meet West Brom's £25m asking price for Berahino.

Manchester City spent almost £50m in signing Raheem Sterling from Liverpool, while Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has taken his total spend to more than £200m during his 12 months in charge at Old Trafford.

"The market is always difficult and in England it is more difficult to fight with the big sides," Pochettino added. "Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal increase a lot the price of the player on the market and it is difficult for another club to sign, but I think our targets are different than their targets.

"This is why we need to be clever, because sometimes you need to settle your philosophy, and in the normal way, people maybe cannot see what is our philosophy, what is our future of this club.

"Sometimes you need to take a decision, sometimes you need to wait, and sometimes it is difficult for people to understand why we do not sign a player.

"But I think it is important to have the conviction, that you are in a good way, and that you have the right player."