Mauricio Pochettino stressed the importance of not pressuring Christian Eriksen into signing a new deal at Tottenham, likening the situation to letting his dog run free in the park.
The Denmark international, who joined from Ajax in 2013, has 18 months left on his contract but is yet to come to an agreement over a renewal.
That delay has sparked speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Liga champions Barcelona, although Pochettino appears unconcerned that negotiations are yet to reach a conclusion.
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"Maybe he will sign next week or in six months, or the club and him are having different challenges and dreams," Pochettino told a media conference ahead of Sunday's clash against Manchester United at Wembley.