Fabio Paratici is likely to have some goalkeeper transfer questions to answer at Tottenham when the summer transfer window arrives. Spurs are currently fifth in the Premier League with nine games to go, and will hope they can finish in the top four to secure Champions League football for the next campaign.
Ending the season in a top four position is also likely to help them attract more players once the transfer window opens. Goalkeepers is one area of the field where Tottenham still have some decisions to make.
Hugo Lloris signed his two and a half year contract earlier in the year and Pierluigi Gollini is the current second-choice shot stopper. However, the Italian isn't getting his chance to play, with the skipper always one of the first names on the team sheet.
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Gollini is currently on loan in north London, with the option to make his deal permanent when the season ends, if criteria were met. The 27-year-old has made just 10 appearances for Tottenham so far and arguably hasn't made a strong enough case as to why he should become a permanent keeper in N17, if the option is even a possibility.
Lloris' new contract was a relief to all Spurs fans and confirms his stay in north London for at least a couple more years. However if Gollini does return to Atalanta, there may be a new target for Paratici in the summer.
Former Tottenham shot stopper Paul Robinson already gave his verdict on what he believes his old club need to look for. "Tottenham need strength in depth behind Lloris and they don’t have it," he said. "They need another top goalkeeper if they want to challenge for trophies.
"They need a strong number one/two to challenge Lloris for his place and to keep him on his toes. Look at Liverpool, they have Kelleher behind Alisson. Spurs need a goalkeeper like that behind Lloris."
If the hunt for a new goalkeeper does begin when the summer window opens, it will be added to the long list of areas that need improvement for Antonio Conte's side this summer. football.london takes a look at three shot stoppers Tottenham could look to sign, when the time comes.
Sam Johnstone
Johnstone is currently playing in the Championship for West Brom, who are 12th after their 38 games. The 29-year-old has started every match he has featured in and captained his side in November last year.
The keeper earned his third England cap during the break at the back end of last year, and Gareth Southgate delivered praise to Johnstone after his long throw helped his country score the fifth goal against Andorra. "It was a fabulous piece of quick thinking from Sam Johnstone and when Jack is in those one against one situations, he will always be a threat."
Johnstone is out of contract at the end of the season and Tottenham are one of the clubs that have been linked with him in recent times. Earlier this month, West Brom manager Steve Bruce spoke on his shot stopper being out of contract.
"The biggest disappointment for me is that he is out of contract. However, it’s football these days, it’s something that has been going around for years," Bruce explained.
"We’re probably going to lose our biggest asset on a Bosman [free transfer], which is not great for everybody. He’s a very good goalkeeper."
A move to the north London club would be a step up for Johnstone, who has previously spent time at Man United and Aston Villa. If he can finish the season strongly after a couple of mistakes in recent games, he could be one Paratici looks to keep an eye on for Tottenham, especially with a market value of just £7.2million, according to transfermarkt.
Dean Henderson
Henderson is another goalkeeper who has been linked with Spurs in recent times. At the end of last year, Manchester Evening News reported that Ralf Rangnick had told the 25-year-old that he wanted three first-team ready keepers in his squad.
However Henderson has only made five appearances in all competitions for United this season, including two features in the Premier League 2. Last year, former Red Devils and Spurs manager Jose Mourinho gave his verdict on the keeper.
"I am a Henderson fan. I think United did amazing for him and he did amazing for himself," Mourinho explained. "I think he has this arrogance, this trust, this belief that a goalkeeper needs."
Henderson does still have a few years left on his contract and has a current market value of £16.2million. Already having experience at a Premier League club could also make him more of a target for Tottenham but if he is looking for more regular football, then a move to the capital may not be suitable.
Nick Pope
Another player with Premier League experience is Pope, who is currently first choice keeper at Burnley. The 29-year-old has made 25 league appearances for his side who are currently 19th in the table and four points into the relegation zone.
In November 2020, Gareth Southgate was full of praise for the shot stopper, saying some things which would be great for Conte to hear. "Nick has been, first and foremost, a fantastic part of why the squad has progressed and had a reasonable amount of success comparative to what England have done over the years," Southgate admitted.
"He's been an incredible member of the squad – high performance level, low maintenance in terms of neediness and sacrifices himself for the team at all moments. You couldn't ask for a better person to have in the group."
Just last year Clarets boss Sean Dyche was also full of praise for the shot stopper. "I think he's developed tremendously over the past few years. We got him out of Charlton as a 'keeper who'd been relegated' and I was never scared by people like that," Dyche said.
"He's learned a lot from those experiences, especially as a 'keeper, and he kept going, kept playing hard, and tried to do the right things."
As his side look closer to relegation, with less than two months of the Premier League season left, the prospect of Championship football could be on the cards for the 29-year-old and his side. With just one year remaining on his current contract at Burnley, it's unlikely he would break the bank for Tottenham.
It could be a good move for the shot stopper to not only stay in the top flight, but also make a step up in the club he is playing for and offer a significant challenge to Lloris. Pope could find great use in working with a manager such as Conte too, in order to help him improve even further.
If the Lilywhites decide Gollini isn't the right fit in N17, they will have to look elsewhere to bring in a strong second goalkeeper. If this is the case, there is likely to be plenty of options available to them when the window opens.
