Tottenham are reportedly keen on Bilbao and Spain ace Unai Simon. It comes just weeks after Spurs handed Hugo Lloris a new deal – but amid his recent form, is wanting Simon a sign Fabio Paratici is admitting a mistake?
Simon, 24, has been excellent for Bilbao this season – after a shaky Euro 2020 campaign as Spain’s no.1. Playing 23 times, he has kept an impressive nine clean sheets with Bilbao conceding just 19 goals when Simon plays.
Despite his tender age, Simon already has 115 games for Bilbao under his belt and another 20 caps for Spain. For the club’s reserves, who play in the third tier, he kept 29 clean sheets in 60. Koke thinks he is “incredible”.
Little surprise, then, that Spanish outlet Marca claim Tottenham are interested in signing Simon this summer. What is surprising, though, is that they want a new goalkeeper just weeks after handing Lloris a new deal.
Is Paratici admitting Tottenham mistake with Lloris, eyeing Simon?
Lloris is 35 and turns 36 at the end of the year. This season, he has probably been one of Tottenham’s best players – at least, until he signed a new contract. Since then, he has made three big mistakes, leading to goals.
The World Cup winner was at fault for both of Wolves’ goals in a 2-0 home defeat to Bruno Lage’s side. He parried a ball straight to Raul Jimenez to score, when he could have caught it. His pass to Ben Davies, too, was awful.
Against Manchester City, he fumbled a cross that saw Ilkay Gundogan tap home. Lloris has been poor of late, like Spurs, but given those mistakes and his new deal – interest in Simon does seem like Spurs want a replacement.
It suggests that Tottenham and Fabio Paratici might have made a mistake handing Lloris a contract, not only until 2023, but until 2024. Simon would only join if he is first choice – so Lloris’ new contract might be one to regret.
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