Reported Hugo Lloris successor opens door to Tottenham move

Schalke captain Alexander Nubel has left open the possibility of a move to the Premier League amid reports Jose Mourinho wants him as a long-term successor to Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham and Mourinho were reported to be keeping tabs on the highly-rated keeper earlier this week as a long-term new No 1 and replacement for both Lloris and Paulo Gazzaniga in the sticks.

It was claimed that that the 23-year-old, whose current contract with the Bundesliga side expires at the end of this season, is being eyed by Spurs as a possible signing due to the long-term injury to Lloris, while the quality of Gazzaniga as back-up has often been questioned.

And tellingly for Tottenham, Nubel appears open to the idea of a move abroad when he was confronted about speculation linking him with Mourinho’s side.

“Of course, footballing factors are a part of it (my future decision), but most of all personal and family things,” Nubel said.

“These factors include things like foreign countries, where you could say you learn something for your life.

“I have not set a deadline. I will decide how it comes. I have all the possibilities at the moment and I am glad that I have no deadline.”

Nubel has been labelled as ‘a new generation-goalkeeper’ by former Paderborn coach Markus Krosche and has had an impressive start to the season as Schalke currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga table.

The young stopper has often been compared to Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer and has, predictably, been linked with a move to Bavaria as the Germany keeper’s long-term replacement.

However, the report states that Tottenham could have the edge in the pursuit for Nubel.

 

There have already been reports that new Spurs boss Mourinho is unimpressed with club skipper Lloris and is looking for a replacement, with Nubel being deemed a worthy successor.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is absolutely insistent that he had no contact with Arsenal over becoming their new manager and insists he could not be happier to be at Tottenham.

Addressing claims he had met with the Gunners’ head of football Raul Sanllehi, Mourinho replied: “No, no. Of course, I never denied, because I never deny things.

“But when it was written that I was in a meeting with Mr Sanllehi it was not true.”