Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Tottenham ‘convinced’ to sign Serie A star outclassing their own flop as replacement for regular starter
Tottenham Hotspur have identified Alex Meret as an ideal candidate to become their next first-choice goalkeeper after Hugo Lloris, according to a report in Italy.
Lloris still has a year left on his contract with Tottenham, where he serves as club captain. However, the French veteran is unlikely to be their number one next season. The club are already on the lookout for someone who can take over from him as a regular starter.
With that in mind, they are intensifying their interest in Napoli goalkeeper Meret. According to Napoli Calcio Live, the Italy international has “convinced” Spurs.
Meret is currently above former Tottenham loanee Pierluigi Gollini in Napoli’s pecking order. Thus, he has proven himself as being better than someone who didn’t make the grade at Tottenham before.
The hope in north London is that he would also be able to establish himself as being an upgrade on Lloris. In turn, he could provide more stability in their goalkeeping department.
Now, Spurs want to get ahead of the potential competition for Meret, who is likely to become a Serie A winner by the end of the season. Napoli are currently top of their table by 16 points with nine games remaining.
The 26-year-old is only under contract in Naples for another season, unless his current employers activate an option to prolong his stay by another year.
In theory, he could be a relatively affordable target, especially for a player with several years ahead of him at the top level. Yet Napoli will be tough negotiators regardless.
Indeed, the report suggests that their asking price for Meret might still surpass €40million (£35m). Even so, clubs like Tottenham could be ready to pay up.
Tottenham to give Meret his Premier League chance
Meret, who has three caps for Italy, has started 28 of Napoli’s 29 Serie A matches so far this season. In the process, he has conceded just 21 goals, keeping 13 clean sheets.
Despite never playing in the Premier League before, Meret seems to have impressed Tottenham officials. He could be a genuine contender to become their next main goalkeeper.
There will be other candidates, such as Brentford’s David Raya, for example. While there is a degree of uncertainty about some Tottenham roles off the field, though, it makes sense for them to be keeping their options open.
As they whittle down their shortlist, Meret may well be deserving of a place on it still.
Interestingly, although Tottenham have made several signings from Serie A in recent transfer windows, there are no Italian players in their current squad.
Destiny Udogie will be integrated into their setup next season after his loan spell with Udinese (one of Meret’s former clubs). Perhaps his compatriot keeper will be on his way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as well.