Tottenham eyeing loan-to-buy deal for 'best in the world' player in January

Tottenham are being linked with a goalkeeper deal ahead of the January transfer window. Spurs are now heading into the international break, and they go into the break with wind in their sails following an away win over Leeds United over the weekend.

Thomas Frank’s men shook off a small run of draws to end Leeds’ home unbeaten run that also stretched across much of last season. Almost every Tottenham fan would have taken the offer of being third at this stage of the season, especially given how poor last season’s league campaign was.

Tottenham already look much stronger under Frank’s guide, but the squad may not be complete. According to one report from Spanish outlet Sport, the goalkeeper position is one Frank would like to strengthen despite good performances from Guglielmo Vicario on the whole this season. Vicario has been inconsistent at times in the past, though, and there are certainly questions over whether he can be elite if Spurs want to have title ambitions in the future.

The report claims Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is of interest, with the Germany keeper currently sidelined through injury. It’s hoped Ter-Stegen can return in November, with Barcelona currently relying on Wojciech Szczęsny in the absence of summer signing Joan Garcia, who is expected back in the not too distant future.

Spurs are said to be interested in a loan deal with an option to buy, perhaps predicting that Garcia will be the number one while Ter-Stegen gets back to full fitness and his best form. Ter Stegen will want to be playing regular football ahead of the summer’s World Cup, and much will come down to what Barca’s plans are for the veteran stopper.

Ter Stegen is out due to a operation he had on a long-standing back issue back in July.

Xavi praise

Ter Stegen was once described as the best goalkeeper in the world by former boss Xavi Hernandez. The then Barca boss said in 2023: “For me it was an advantage to know Marc. As a manager it was an advantage, I know how he thinks, his personality, he is very methodical, he's a perfectionist.

“He has worked a lot and he was aware that he had to improve too. Right now he is at an extraordinary level. I would say that, right now, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. Even more so for us what we in terms of play. With the ball to feet in goal, he is perfect for us. Having Marc in goal makes me calm.”

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