With AVB set on a new keeper here are six potential options he has at his disposal to sign for Tottenham Hotspur.
It appears widespread knowledge that Andre Villas Boas desires a new goalkeeper for his White Hart Lane revolution. With Carlo Cudicini being eyed up by compatriot and former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola to replace Scott Loach at Watford; Heurelho Gomes discarded to the wilderness and Brad Friedel’s advancing age he may have good reason too?
So who could be on their way to Tottenham?
Hugo Lloris
This story has waged on all summer with the French captain considered keen on a move to the Premier League. At just 25 he has many years left in him and his vast experience may count in his favour if a deal was to be finally drawn up between Spurs and his Ligue 1 club Lyon.
Jack Butland
The Great Britain Olympian really impressed against Brazil in GB’s warm-up game recently and has been linked with a move to Spurs. He is set to be handed the number 1 jersey by Lee Clark at Birmingham next season but the lure of Premier League football may be hard to resist. Available at a fair price for a highly talented 19 year old this could be the avenue Tottenham pursue.
Rui Patricio
One of the standout goalkeepers at Euro 2012 the Sporting Lisbon custodian could be persuaded by countrymen AVB to give the Premier League a go at White Hart Lane. At just 24 years old again AVB would see him as a piece of a jigsaw in a large puzzle but Sporting Lisbon may be pricing the Portuguese out of any potential move.
Artur Boruc
Many people will remember Boruc as an often controversial figure at Celtic Park but he was also a highly talented individual. He moved to Fiorentina and wrestled the number 1 jersey from Frenchman Sebastian Frey, forcing his move to Genoa. The Pole may be a bit old at 32 for AVB’s philosophy but the fact he is available on a free transfer and already fluent in English might make him a great bargain.
Julio Cesar
The Inter Milan goalkeeper, a Champions League winner in 2010 and Brazilian international was yesterday linked with a move to White Hart Lane by the Italian press. Cesar is expected to lose his number one spot as Inter have signed Samir Handanovic from Udinese. Again age 32 AVB may want a younger option, and as we saw with Gomes, Brazilian ‘keepers adapting to the Premier League is not always simple.
And finally… a sixth option is available…
Nobody
Spurs do have options already at the club with Brad Friedel seemingly defying biology with his performances for the club. Heurelho Gomes is dodgy but AVB seems to have a thing for dodgy Brazilian keepers with trouser wearing Helton being his number one at Porto. Then there is the ‘curious case’ of David Button. An experienced youth international with England who has had 13 loan spells away from Spurs since turning professional in 2008.
Do Spurs need a new keeper? Who should it be?
images: © Vladimir Maiorov, © mr-football
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