Tottenham Hotspur have been touted with conducting some transfer business between the sticks, with free agent Joe Hart undergoing a medical with the club according to ESPN, with the same source stating that the club is committed to extending Hugo Lloris’ contract also.
While being proactive in ensuring Jose Mourinho has competent options in goal makes sense, neither of these reported Spurs decisions sit well with me.
Tottenham signing Hart, a goalkeeper that was once England’s best but someone who has deteriorated badly in recent years, feels like a backward step.
While the argument of the veteran joining for next to nothing, offering experience and being another homegrown player is there, surely a younger English alternative could be sourced?
Hart will surely be a back-up for Tottenham, most likely third choice, but couldn’t this role be filled by a rising starlet who can develop by having a place in the club’s first-team squad?
As for Lloris, Spurs fans will agree that the France international has been an amazing stalwart of the club – but one who has had mistakes and errors creep into his game in recent times.
The Tottenham goalkeeper’s current contract runs until the summer of 2022, at which point he will be 35 – extending it doesn’t seem like a logical move, especially given that the former Lyon man is one of the club’s top earners.
I have stated for a number of years that Spurs need to start the search for a long-term replacement for Lloris, whose powers are on the wane.
Paulo Gazzaniga has performed well when given a chance in the Tottenham goal, but the jury remains out on whether he is the Frenchman’s ideal successor.
Given that Lloris has two years left on his current deal, Spurs should leave it until closer to the expiry date before opting to make a decision over his future – while simultaneously looking for his replacement.
This replacement could well be a young, raw talent that could be signed this summer and moulded in his image for the next 24 months.
However, one thing is for certain – Joe Hart isn’t the answer.