Antonio Conte has assured Hugo Lloris he will remain Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeeper this season. But Spurs are looking for replacements amid interest in Jordan Pickford of Everton.
That is according to the Mirror, which reports the north London club are actively exploring new shot-stoppers to sign. Tottenham intend to bring in a long-term successor for Lloris in the summer. So, his first-choice status is now only likely to remain unrivalled for this term.
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Tottenham do not see Fraser Forster as a viable long-term option and believe he can only remain a backup. But Lloris showed Spurs why they should seek his successor soon after a difficult time against Aston Villa when his error gifted Emiliano Buendia the go-ahead goal.
Lloris’ error-strewn display showed Tottenham why they need to target a transfer
Lloris could only spill Douglas Luiz’s hit from long-range and send the ball to Ollie Watkins, who squared to Buendia. Aston Villa would also later secure a 2-0 result when Luiz chipped the World Cup finalist with France on his return to end a one-two move with John McGinn.
Yet Conte has no urgent wish to replace Lloris, so Tottenham will wait until the summer to secure his successor’s transfer. Scouts working with Spurs will now spend the remainder of the season monitoring potential options with an up-and-coming talent not to be ruled out.
It is also possible that Tottenham seek a deal in January to show Conte their willingness to match his ambitions. But the Italian has also given Lloris his word that the 145-cap France captain will remain his first choice between the sticks for, at least, the rest of this season.
Spurs have made Everton ace Pickford their top target to replace Lloris in 2023
Everton and England star Pickford is Tottenham’s top target to replace Lloris in either the January or summer 2023 transfer windows, per TuttoMercatoWEB. His future at Goodison Park is also uncertain amid the Toffees’ ongoing troubles near the bottom of the standings.
But Aston Villa are also interested in signing Pickford and are keeping tabs on his situation, The Sun reports. The 28-year-old is only under contract through to 2024 – like Lloris is with Spurs – and Unai Emery believes he can replace Emiliano Martinez at the Birmingham side.
Pickford is happy to commit his long-term future to Everton. Though the Daily Mail reports that Toffees chiefs are still yet to sign off on the new, five-year deal that he had agreed to before the World Cup. The delay has alerted Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.
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