Tottenham Hotspur look set to miss out on Alex Meret with the Napoli star’s agent playing down reports that the Italy international could replace Hugo Lloris at the Premier League giants.
If that 6-1 hammering at Newcastle United is destined to be Hugo Lloris’ final appearance for the London giants, then it was hardly the way he’d have dreamed of bowing out.
A flurry of goals conceded, and a half-time exit after picking up an injury. After a decade between the sticks at Tottenham Hotspur, the 36-year-old deserves better than to be remembered for an error-strewn final 18 months.
But Lloris, like many others at Spurs, appears to have become an unfortunate posterboy for the team’s malaise in the post-Champions League final era. A man who, at a more ruthless, headstrong club, would have been greeted with a firm handshake and shown the door long ago. Instead, Tottenham have been allowed to grow stale; ageing, underperforming players rewarded with new deals at a time when their performances have been stuck in a downwards trajectory.
Tottenham Hotspur need a new goalkeeper
Suddenly, Tottenham find themselves in a position where a new number one is required, while operating from a position of next-to-no strength in the transfer market. No Champions League football. Not even European football. And without either a head coach or a director of football to spearhead the rebuild.
Napoli Calcio Live report that Spurs were lining up a £35 million bid for Italy international Alex Meret. But swapping the Serie A champions for a Tottenham side who finished eighth in the Premier League? The footballing equivalent of cancelling your reservation at Nobu in favour of an evening in Burger King.
Meret’s agent, meanwhile, believes that the former Udinese ‘keeper will be sticking around to help the Partenopei defend their Scudetto crown in 2023/24.
“Director (Cristiano) Giuntoli made a huge effort for the contract renewal, which was very complicated. Now, the season is over and there will be holidays. And then, we’ll see,” Federico Pastorello tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“But Alex is very happy to be in Naples. He wants to stay in Naples and I think he will.”
Lloris, meanwhile, has a decision to make regarding his own future.
An unnamed Saudi Arabian outfit are reportedly willing to hand the World Cup winner a staggering £300,000-a-week contract.
“He will study all the options available to him,” Lloris agent tells La Parisien. “(But) there is nothing concrete yet.”
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