Pundit backs Spurs to sign West Brom player as replacement for linked-away star

Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has backed Tottenham Hotspur to move for West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as a replacement for Hugo Lloris in the summer.

Lloris started the season in fine form but has been guilty of making some poor errors over the last couple of months.

The Spurs captain has received Jose Mourinho’s backing but reports indicate that the goalkeeper, who is about to enter into the final year of his contract with the North Londoners, could be on his way to Paris Saint-Germain.

Johnstone, who has impressed in his first taste of Premier League football this season, is reportedly one of the shot-stoppers on Spurs’ radar in the summer.

The 27-year-old’s consistent displays for the Baggies has seen him called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Whelan has now urged Spurs to sign Johnstone in the event they are to lose Lloris in the summer and also backed his former club Leeds to rival the North Londoners for the West Brom number one’s signature.

He told Football Insider: “I look at Lloris leaving at Tottenham. Maybe that’s something they need to look at and address, that goalkeeping situation.

“We saw the scathing comments that came from Lloris on Thursday night as well. Paris St Germain have always wanted him, I’m sure Pochettino would like to bring him back home.

“Maybe a Tottenham would look good. Maybe a Leeds as well, you know? Never rule them out. We’re always in the market for emerging, top goalkeepers.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I expect Spurs to try their hardest to get Lloris signed to a new contract. There are plenty of positions we need to strengthen in the summer and I do not think the club would want to spend big on bringing in a new goalkeeper given the relative shortage of transfer funds.

However, if Lloris does not put pen to paper on a new deal, Tottenham will have little choice but to sell him if they wish to avoid losing him on a free transfer. I personally believe that signing someone like Pope would be a safer bet than Johnstone since the Burnley man has been consistently good for several years.

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