Tottenham ‘top target’ reaches transfer verdict ahead of summer mission to replace ‘liability’

Lewis Oldham
Tottenham target Pickford

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as one of their ‘top targets’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

Hugo Lloris has been Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper since he joined the Premier League club from Lyon in 2012.

He helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and he was a brilliant ‘keeper for several years for Spurs but his form has declined over the past couple of seasons.

More mistakes are creeping into his game and Jamie Carragher claimed earlier this month that the shot-stopper has “now become a liability”.

“The goalkeeper for Tottenham right now has been a good goalkeeper for Tottenham. He’s now become a liability and they need to change it,” Carragher said.

“They need a new goalkeeper for next season. Antonio Conte has been talking about taking them further – they need a new goalkeeper, they need two centre-backs, they need a right wing-back. That’s not to come into the squad, that’s to play.

“That’s exactly what they need. Conte hasn’t got the players he wants to play his way, which is defensive, counter-attacking football. He’s got the attacking players but he hasn’t got the defenders to get him clean sheets.”

Lloris is out of contract in 2024 and recent reports have suggested that Tottenham will look to replace him at the end of this season.

Pickford has been mentioned as a target amid his great form for Everton. They are joint-bottom of the Premier League but he has been one of their shining lights.

The 28-year-old is in the form of his life and he is also out of contract in 2024. Football Insider are reporting that Tottenham are ‘plotting a move to sign’ Pickford later this year.

The England international is one of Spurs’ ‘top targets’ and they will ‘continue to closely monitor his situation for the rest of the season’.

The report claims Pickford is ‘looking to move on this summer’ even if Everton manage to stay in the Premier League. He is ‘aware’ of Tottenham’s interest and he is ‘keen’ to join them.

Ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara thinks his former club should sign Pickford and Harry Maguire.

“We need a replacement for Lloris,” O’Hara told talkSPORT.

“He’s been a great servant to the football club but he does make too many mistakes. I think eventually we are going to have to replace him.

“Jordan Pickford, absolutely. Give me Pickford now.”

On Harry Maguire, he added: “Harry Maguire is better than what we’ve got.

“He’s not playing at Manchester United. If a left-back is playing at centre-half and you’re not featuring, then Maguire has got to be looking at saying ‘I want out.’ I would have him at Tottenham, absolutely, definitely.”

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