Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering making a swoop for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who will be a free agent in the summer.
According to talkSPORT, Tottenham Hotspur are pondering the possibility of signing Southampton and England goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a Bosman deal in the summer transfer window.
Forster has been with Southampton since 2014, when he arrived from Scottish giants Celtic. While he had been a regular in the starting lineup for years at St. Mary’s, the veteran shot-stopper had lost his place in the side in recent seasons. The 34-year-old spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Celtic and remained out of favour upon rejoining the Saints.
However, Alex McCarthy’s injury earlier this season presented Forster with an opportunity to make an impression, which is exactly what he did, even forcing Gareth Southgate to hand him a call-up to the English national team.
However, Forster’s contract with Southampton expires in over a month. And, despite his good displays and growing clamour from fans to prolong his stay, the Saints have decided against handing him a new deal as they wish to replace the 34-year-old with a younger goalkeeper.
With Forster set to become a free agent in the summer, Tottenham Hotspur have been alerted to the possibility of securing his services ahead of next season. While the north London giants have extended the contract of Hugo Lloris for another year, they will need a quality backup for the France captain as Pierluigi Gollini is likely to depart at the end of the season.
Indeed, Tottenham have no intentions of signing Gollini on a permanent deal, and his departure would open up a spot for a new goalkeeper in the squad. Forster, to that end, has emerged as a viable target for the Lilywhites owing to his vast experience and proven pedigree in the Premier League, coupled with his free agency.
Forster, who has been capped six times by the English national team, can be a handy squad option at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 34-year-old is not the only goalkeeper on Spurs’ radars, though, as they are also eyeing a Bosman move for West Bromwich Albion star Sam Johnstone. Although, the former Manchester United starlet is seen as a long-term successor for Lloris by Tottenham.
It remains to be seen whether Tottenham decide to bring in both Forster and Johnstone at zero cost to bolster their goalkeeping department before the onset of the 2022/23 season.
