Tottenham Hotspur have now identified Everton star Jordan Pickford as their top target to replace Hugo Lloris. The England ace could also soon be on his way out of Goodison Park.
That is according to TuttoMercatoWEB, which reports Spurs are aware that Lloris is edging toward the end of his career. The goalkeeper will turn 36 years old on Boxing Day but he is under contract in north London until 2024. Tottenham gave Lloris an extension in January.
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Yet it is now possible that Lloris spends the final year of his £100k-a-week deal battling for minutes with Pickford. Tottenham highly appreciate what the 28-year-old offers at Everton and for England. So, decision-makers at Spurs are now giving serious thought to a transfer.
Tottenham view Pickford as their top target to replace Lloris in 2023
Tottenham do not want to keep Lloris playing for too long and watch the France captain’s performances regress with age. So, club chiefs are drawing up plans to move on from their £13m arrival in 2012 from Lyon. But a move for a replacement will likely be in the summer.
Pickford is set to sit at the top of Tottenham’s shopping list through the off-season, as well. Spurs view the Everton star as their top target to replace Lloris with the 50-cap Three Lions shot-stopper only under contract until 2024. Everton last extended his terms back in 2018.
The Toffees rewarded Pickford with a £100k-a-week deal after his impressive debut season at Goodison Park. Ronald Koeman signed the Sunderland product from the Black Cats after their relegation in 2017 for an initial £25m, rising to £30m. Everton fired him that October.
Pickford has continued to go from strength to strength in more recent seasons, despite his side’s troubles. Everton are facing a second successive campaign fighting for their Premier League survival. But their plight would be far worse without having England’s No.1 in goal.
Pickford could be on his way out of Everton at the end of the season
Fighting off relegation in back-to-back seasons may cost Everton the shot-stopper, though. Dean Jones reports the Toffees expect Pickford to seek a transfer in 2023 if their campaign does not improve. He also credits Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United with an interest.
Tottenham, then, will likely hope to see Pickford produce vital saves trying to keep Everton in the Premier League. Spurs will not want to see him struggle as the Toffees go down. But as his contract expires in 2024 and another relegation on his CV, Pickford may be cheaper.
He will have big shoes to fill by replacing Lloris if Pickford remains Tottenham’s top target, though. The France skipper has more often than not delivered key performances for Spurs. Younes Kaboul also says his former teammate is ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’.
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