Wolves were in advanced talks, now target joins second-tier club instead

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Hull City have successfully fought off competition from Premier League outfit Wolves while landing former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Thimothee Lo-Tutala on a three-year deal, as reported by The Tigers’ official website. 

Just last week, reports emerged suggesting that Lo-Tutala was in advanced talks to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer, via L’Equipe reporter Loic Tanzi.

The France U19 international was released by Tottenham in May. But it’s not taken the teenage shot-stopper long to find a new home.

Despite interest from Wolves and a host of other top-flight clubs, Lo-Tutala will be plying his trade at an ambitious Hull City side for the next few seasons; The Turkish-owned Tigers earning their stripes with the latest in a series of eye-catching summer arrivals. 

Hull City beat Wolves to Thimothee Lo-Tutala

“He’s a good kid, quite talented, and we’ve been happy to see him here,” beams Hull boss Shota Arveladze, having been recommended Lo-Tutala by the club’s goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson. 

“I’m not saying we’ve been quick on everything but, on this one, we’ve been quite sharp.

“(Lo-Tutala) can challenge (for a starting place).”

Perhaps that is why Lo-Tutala opted for Humberside over Molineux. Wolves, after all, are in no position to offer a 19-year-old goalkeeper a shot at first-team football under Bruno Lage.

The club’s current number one – Jose Sa – is among the most reliable ‘keepers in the whole of the Premier League, even if some will criticise his role in Rodrigo Moreno’s opener during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road. 

As pointed out by Yorkshire Live, Paris-born Lo-Tutala also had offers from Serie A and Ligue 1. Lyon were reportedly keen. 

Do Wolves still need a new goalkeeper?

Matija Sarkic was on the bench for Wolves in West Yorkshire. The 25-year-old, fresh from a loan spell at Birmingham City, is currently Lage’s first-choice back-up for Jose Sa, with the men from Molineux yet to replace the departed John Ruddy. 

According to The Mirror, Lage was far from pleased after learning Ruddy would not be retained this summer. 

“I want (Ruddy) to stay,” the former Benfica boss said in May. “He’s a big professional.  

“He played well in the cups, trains hard and the way he trains he puts pressure on Jose (Sa). Jose did a fantastic job because of John. I’m happy with him.”