Report: Tottenham issue demands for £52k-a-week man, Mourinho claimed he deserves more

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Tottenham Hotspur have told Celtic they can sign Joe Hart as Ange Postecoglou moves a new goalkeeper to the top of his summer transfer shortlist, according to the Daily Record.

Hart has one year remaining on his contract in north London, but Spurs are prepared to cut a deal to call time on his stay. Nuno Espirito Santo has also told the former England number one that he will not feature in his plans.

Celtic approached Tottenham to discuss signing Hart in the hopes of landing the 34-year-old on a free transfer. But Spurs have no interest in letting the two-time Premier League winner move to Parkhead without a fee. Although they would only hold out for £1m.

Celtic boss Postecoglou is considering Hart as one of two primary options who can improve the Glasgow outfit. The Australian also likes Ben Foster, but the 38-year-old wants to see out the final year of his Watford contract before finishing his career in the United States.

Postecoglou has made signing a new goalkeeper a priority after dropping Vasilis Barkas for Celtic’s crunch Champions League qualifier with Midtjylland on Wednesday. The Hoops boss wanted to give the 27-year-old a fresh start, but a blunder in the first-leg was costly.

Scott Bain has since been unable to show Postecoglou that he can be Celtic’s number one. And the 29-year-old may find Hart arrive to take his place soon. As Fabrizio Romano notes Tottenham and Celtic are close to reaching an agreement for Hart to move to Glasgow.

Mourinho felt Celtic target Hart deserved more at Tottenham

Hart was never going to be Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper after joining from Burnley last August, but could be at Celtic. Postecoglou needs a number one he can rely on, and the £52,000-per-week shot-stopper can be reliable between the sticks.

The 75-cap international kept five clean sheets in 10 appearances last season, but played zero minutes in the Premier League. A situation Jose Mourinho accepted was not fair, as he proved he deserved more off the pitch.

“Joe works so hard and deserves more than not playing one single minute in the Premier League until now,” Mourinho said, via Sky Sports in April. “But it’s the reality of things.”