With Tottenham Hotspur qualifying for the Champions league, it is expected that their Argentine manager Mouricio Pochettino will be strengthening the current squad by adding some fresh faces. It is reported that the London side is ready to prepare a mega bid for the French international Alexandre Lacazette.
But the major concern for the manager will be about their French shot stopper Hugo Lloris, who has recently rejected a new contract offer at White Hart Lane. Lloris still has 3 years left in his contract, and Tottenham’s chairman offered him a new five year deal, but it seems like he has his own desires and wants to join the best paid keepers’ club.
Hugo Lloris, 29, joined Tottenham Hotspur from the French side Lyon in the summer of 2012 for a fee of around €10 m. Lloris faced a stiff competition from US’s international Brad Friedel, but eventually became the number one goalkeeper for the side. In his very first season with the Lilly Whites, he managed to keep nine clean sheets in 27 appearances in the Premier League. The French international went on to become one of the best keepers in the world, and played a big part in Tottenham’s qualification in Champions League in 2015-16. Lloris managed to keep 13 clean sheets in 37 appearances for the club, but it seems like his time as Tottenham’s captain might come to an end.
Keeping the aforementioned condition in mind, we give you 3 goalkeepers Tottenham Hotpsur could sign to replace Lloris:
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Jack Butland-
The 23-year-old English international plays for Stoke City and is regarded as the future of English football. He has been exceptional in the 2015-16 season where he kept 10 clean sheets in his 31 appearances for the side.
Butland is already linked with many premier league sides, including Chelsea, and if Tottenham are all clear about Lloris’ future, they should not waste more time to sign Butland as he might come in handy and will be tempted to play in the Champions League as well. Butland was recently called up by England’s manager Roy Hodgson as Joe Hart was out injured, he kept a clean sheet in England’s 3–0 win over Lithuania, but unfortunately, he suffered a fractured ankle after conceding in a friendly away to Germany, ruling him out of the Euros.
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Bernd Leno-
The 24-year-old is currently linked with a move to Totenham and Leno can surely replace the legacy of Lloris in London. Leno, 24, currently plays for the German side Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga outfit were expecting Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to come in for Leno, but Klopp welcomed another German shot stopper Loris Karius, and therefore, Tottenham will be the best destination for Leno.
Leno might not join the side until Loris remains the first choice keeper, therefore, Pochettino will have to promise him a regular playtime. Leno kept 12 clean sheets in his 32 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season, and has attracted the interest of many clubs from all around Europe. Leno has represented Germany at every Levels and has all the experience of playing in the Champions League, therefore, he can easily fill the boots of Lloris at Tottenham.
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Jordan Pickford-
The 22-year-old Sunderland shot stopper is surely a surprising name, but Pickford has made his name all by himself. He has been linked with a move to Manchester United as is touted as a perfect replacement for the flying Spaniard.
Pickford has majorly spent his club tenure out on loan with different English clubs and has over 188 appearances to his name.
Sunderland might try to keep hold on Pickford, but the player himself cannot resist the Champions League opportunities. Pickford is in contract with Sunderland until 2020, but Tottenham are well capable of buying Pickford as money is not at all an issue.