Antonio Conte has taken the next step towards completing a summer transfer revamp at Tottenham, with the Italian boss identifying a new backup to Hugo Lloris. Spurs have made Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster a "top target" ahead of next season, according to The Athletic.
The 34-year-old, who has reportedly already said his goodbyes at St Mary's, has featured 19 times for the Saints in the Premier League this season, keeping three clean sheets. The Athletic claim that Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici is aiming to secure the England international's services next week once the season draws to a close.
It's believed that Spurs want a homegrown shot-stopper to replace Pierluigi Gollini as Lloris' understudy, with the rules and regulations of Champions League qualification likely to have prompted Conte's interest. Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who is valued at around £13million by CIES Football Observatory, has been previously linked with a move to White Hart Lane.
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But, Newcastle have since taken an interest in the Englishman. Therefore, Spurs could save the aforementioned sum by going for Forster, who sees his contract at Southampton expire in the summer.
football.london understands Sam Johnstone is under consideration as a free transfer from West Brom, though Manchester United are also eyeing a move to bring their former youth goalkeeper to Old Trafford.
The Telegraph claim that Conte wants as many as six arrivals this window; a centre-back, a right wing-back, two midfielders, a forward and a backup goalkeeper. The Spurs boos told Sky Sport Italia in February: "Four players left in January. Four important players for Tottenham, two have arrived. So even numerically instead of strengthening you may have, on paper, weakened."
In April, though, the Italian boss appeared to dial things back a little, stressing the impact of the two new signings. Conte said: “I said that with these two players, despite that we lost four players in January, with these two new signings we made this squad more complete, with more balance.
"I think that it’s very important in football to have a clear idea and to have a good vision. Because in this way, the situation is more simple."
