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Football London
Football London
Sport
Emma de Duve

Fabio Paratici has already solved transfer concern for Antonio Conte without spending a penny

Fabio Paratici has solved one of Tottenham's major transfer concerns during the January window, without spending any money.

There are a number of areas that need working on at Spurs but a new goalkeeper would've just been another to add to the list, if it wasn't for Hugo Lloris.

In the last few months, various goalkeepers have been rumoured with links to Tottenham, including Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone. This all came as Lloris' contract was set to expire in the summer and there had been no new contract signed - until Friday morning.

Spurs announced that the club's captain has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, meaning he will be in N17 until at least 2024.

After the announcement of the signing of his contract, Lloris explained his decision to stay at Tottenham and his aims for the season.

"I feel it’s a privilege to play football and to play for such a big club like Spurs," Lloris admitted. "Also, the relationship with the fans is important for me. In the last few months, I’ve felt their support even more than before. So, the decision was really easy to take for me.

"My wish is to become even more competitive and to close the gap with the best teams in England, and why not get back into the Champions League?

"This season, this is my personal target, to help the team and the club to continue in that way, and to enjoy football.

"I believe that there is no age to improvement. It doesn’t matter what age you are, the most important thing is that willingness."

The club captain has been one of the Lilywhites' most consistent players in recent times and has made crucial saves in a number of games for his side.

He is not only a success for the club but is also a pivotal part of the France squad, who he also captains and led them in their World Cup win in Russia, in 2018.

Lloris' appreciation has also been shown from summer arrival, Pierluigi Gollini, who was brought to N17 on an initial loan deal, with an option to buy.

The Italian has made ten appearances for Spurs so far this season and he hasn't done much wrong in most games, apart from in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg when he completely missed the ball in the lead up to Antonio Rudiger's goal.

It is hard to tell if Gollini could be the man to replace Lloris, when his Tottenham chapter does come to an end but the 26-year-old has already explained his aims at the north London club.

"Hugo is a great goalkeeper," Gollini admitted. "His career speaks for itself, he's a world champion. He's been kind to me from the moment I arrived. We have a great working relationship.

"I'm here to show that I will be the future number one for this club."

Gollini will need more game time for the permanent move to become an option and those opportunities, if he gets them, will be where he needs to impress.

Antonio Conte has spoken about both keepers this season.

"Before my arrival at Tottenham, Pierluigi has always played in Carabao and the Conference League," the Italian said on his decision to play Gollini in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. "I think when you’re in a team like Tottenham, it’s important also to give chances to the keeper because the keeper, Pierluigi, showed to be reliable."

"For us, he's very important and I'm sure that in a short time they can find a solution with the club, because he loves Tottenham and Tottenham loves him," Conte said on Lloris, after Spurs' 1-0 victory over Watford, on New Years Day.

For now and with the signing of Lloris' contract, Paratici has a weight off his shoulders and can find relief that the skipper will be at the club for at least another two years, solving a transfer issue that cost him nothing.

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