Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Unai Simon from Athletic Bilbao as a long-term replacement for veteran Hugo Lloris.
According to MARCA, Tottenham are keeping tabs on Unai Simon, with the north London club eyeing the 24-year-old Spanish international as the long-term successor to Hugo Lloris.
Hugo Lloris has been a consistent performer at Tottenham Hotspur, ever since he signed on from Lyon around ten years ago. The goalkeeper can look back at a successful career, although much of it came with France’s national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League last year.
Looking back at his Spurs career, he remains the captain, although he has never managed to lead his side to a trophy. Under Lloris’s leadership, Tottenham did come close a few times to winning a title, including the Premier League crown, but always faltered at the last hurdle.
He also captained them to a Champions League final, only for Liverpool to win the contest comfortably. At 35 years of age, the veteran Frenchman continues to perform at the highest level, although the club may have to sort out plans to adequately replace him in the long term.
While Lloris had interest from his native France over a possible move, the Tottenham skipper signed a new deal in January to extend his stay by a further two years. Tottenham’s hierarchy are already drawing up plans to find a replacement and bringing in a new player to deputise under Lloris before the Frenchman leaves his post.
Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon is earmarked to become the Frenchman’s long-term successor, with Tottenham keeping tabs on the Spanish international. The 24-year-old has spent his entire career to date with the Basque club and has a contract until 2025 at San Mames.
Athletic did confirm the absence of a release clause in his contract, although they might charge a reasonable fee if a transfer approach is made. Simon, who is Spain’s undisputed No.1 under Luis Enrique, has also been courted by Barcelona, who want him to replace Marc Andre ter-Stegen in the future.
However, Tottenham could look to make a move as early as next summer, with the north London club looking to bring him early to learn from the Frenchman. As things stand, it would not be easy to prise the 24-year-old Spanish international away from San Mames, as he is yet to indicate his willingness to move away from the club.
