Pundit urges Tottenham to make U-turn on ‘short-sighted’ Fraser Forster signing

Paul Robinson has suggested Tottenham should reconsider signing Fraser Forster as he believes the Southampton goalkeeper is too much of a short-term option.

Spurs are approaching what is expected to be a busy summer under Antonio Conte, who has reportedly requested up to six new players to bolster his squad (Telegraph).

The first of which looks set to be Saints stopper Forster with the club thought to be closing in on a deal to sign the 34-year-old, who is out of contract this summer (Daily Mail).

The deal will see him provide competition for Hugo Lloris with current back-up Pierluigi Gollini expected to return to parent club Atalanta at the conclusion of his loan spell (CalcioMercato).

While Forster will more than likely take up a No 2 role, former Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson is not convinced the move benefits the club in the long term.

The ex-England stopper believes the transfer is too ‘short-sighted’ and feels Spurs need to pursue other options that will not need replacing in quick time.

Robinson told Football Insider: “Gollini is not good enough. The goalkeepers at Spurs have not been strong enough for a while.

“Hugo Lloris is a top-class goalkeeper but we know he cannot go on forever. He is coming towards the twilight of his career. Forster would be a stop-gap. He is not the long-term answer.

“I think he’s had a brilliant season at Southampton. You have to give him a lot of credit for reinventing himself at Celtic that season.

“He has been outstanding this year but he is not the long-term replacement for Hugo. He could do a job when Hugo can’t play but it’s quite short-sighted.

“They should be looking to the future. There should be a contingency plan put in place. Neither are of an age who can give you five or six years of service.

“Forster is an upgrade but not the long-term answer. I’d be going for someone who can be at the club for years to come.”

Forster’s imminent arrival at Tottenham will see him bring a wealth of experience to North London from what has been a lengthy career.

He joined Southampton in 2014 after a successful stint with Celtic which yielded three Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish League Cups.

The England international rejoined the Hoops on loan in the 2019-20 campaign where he added another league title and the Scottish Cup to his list of honours (Transfermarkt).

Spurs Web Opinion

Even though it is not the most exciting move, it is sensible and adds to areas that are lacking in the squad both on and off the pitch.

It addresses the backup goalkeeper situation with Gollini likely to head back to Atalanta, while it is another name to add onto the homegrown list of players.

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