Tottenham in ‘shock’ raid for £22m Chelsea star as Pochettino prepares ‘dressing room cull’
According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a ‘shock’ move for Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who could replace Hugo Lloris.
Mendy signed for Chelsea in 2020 for a fee in the region of £22m from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
He quickly replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Premier League club’s first-choice goalkeeper and his dream debut season resulted in him lifting the Champions League.
The 31-year-old helped Senegal win the African Cup of Nations in 2021 so he has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, but he has endured a tough season at Stamford Bridge.
Mendy has been restricted to just 12 appearances this season as he has been impacted by a shoulder injury. He is under contract until 2025 but it has been indicated that Chelsea are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer.
Tottenham are also in the market for a new goalkeeper. Hugo Lloris has been their first-choice shot-stopper since 2012 but his form has declined in recent years and he is expected to be replaced this summer.
A report from The Sun claims ‘Mendy could be set for a shock transfer switch to Premier League rivals’ Tottenham Hotspur.
The North London outfit have apparently ’emerged as surprise contenders to sign Mendy when Chelsea’s summer clearout kicks off’ this summer.
Mendy is ‘up for grabs as part of Chelsea’s cost-cutting plans’ and they are ‘preparing to say goodbye’ to the goalkeeper. The report adds.
‘Even though Spurs are yet to announce who will be their next permanent manager following the sacking of Antonio Conte, club scouts have been following Mendy closely for some time.
‘They are also fully aware of his current contract stand-off with Chelsea and that their London neighbours need to offload a raft of big names in the coming weeks to balance the books.
‘Mendy, 31, has rejected a six-year deal and failed to agree terms with new Blues chairman Todd Boehly.’
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It is also pointed out that Chelsea-bound Mauricio Pochettino is ‘fully aware that there must be a dressing room cull when he officially starts work on July 1’.
Pochettino is reportedly planning to ‘trim his squad to around 24 or 25’ and several players could be sold this summer. The report explains.
‘A vast array of first-teamers will be made effectively available once the season ends on May 28.
‘Left-back Marc Cucurella, who has struggled for consistency since signing from Brighton last summer is among those who could be sold.
‘Home-grown defender Trevoh Chalobah, plus midfielder Mason Mount, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and widemen Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are favourites to go.’
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