Tottenham are now set to make a €40m (£35m) bid to sign Alex Meret from Napoli after he helped the Italian side win the Serie A title.
Spurs are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper amid doubts over the future of Hugo Lloris.
The Times believe the France international has a £300,000-a-week offer from Saudi Arabia on the table, and is considering his future with only 12 months remaining on his contract.
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What’s the story?
Well, it seems Tottenham have identified Alex Meret as a replacement for Hugo Lloris.
Napoli Calcio Live believe Spurs are ready to place a £35m offer on the table, a sum deemed “too tempting to be refused” by those in Naples.
In fact, it sounds as if Napoli are ready to accept the bid, as they have already lined up Empoli glovesman Guglielmo Vicario to replace Meret.
Tottenham’s interest in the Italian shot-stopper comes after he enjoyed a very impressive season, keeping 15 clean sheets in 32 Serie A appearances so far as Napoli secured the Serie A title.
Meret conceded just 23 goals in those 32 outings, while he also shipped just eight goals in ten Champions League appearances this term as well.
Meret could be Tottenham No.1 for a decade
At the age of just 26, Meret is already performing like an experienced goalkeeper well into his thirties.
With Napoli seemingly ready to accept Tottenham’s bid, he could be the No.1 at Spurs for the next ten years if he continues to deliver such commanding displays.
Of course, a sum of £35m may seem like a lot for a goalkeeper, but that is simply a sign of the times – for example, Manchester City paid £35m for Ederson, Alisson cost Liverpool a £67m sum, and Chelsea spent £72m on Kepa Arrizabalaga.
If Meret holds down the No.1 position for a decade, it will prove to be value for money regardless.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Tottenham await a response from Napoli.