Tottenham told they can sign player Xabi Alonso says has 'great personality' for £26m

Tottenham are now being linked with a goalkeeper as they bid to improve their squad this month. Thomas Frank is in need of more bodies after being hit with injuries over the last couple of weeks, leaving Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus out for at least a couple of months.

Richarlison is also a doubt, and with Brennan Johnson sold, the front line is an area where Spurs need to strengthen. Conor Gallagher has been brought in to strengthen the midfield in Bentancur’s absence, and there should be more new arrivals by the end of the month.

One area Spurs were not expected to strengthen is the goalkeeping department, with Gugliemo Vicario the clear number one and Antonin Kinsky providing the back-up, but an opportunity too good to resist could be in the offing.

According to Defensa Central, Spurs have been tracking Real Marid deputy goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with Vicario having been linked with a return to Italy. Lunin has played back-up to Thibaut Courtouis for a number of years, but he has been one of the better back-ups in the game.

The report claims Lunin could jump at the chance of becoming a number one and that Real Madrid will sell if they get a good offer of around £26million. With Lunin only 26 years of age, that could be seen as a bargain by Tottenham, with the Ukrainian having development still to come, and he has already shown he can be a regular in a top division and in the Champions League. Lunin was effectively a number one last season when Courtois spent much of the season injured.

It’s unclear whether a deal would be this month or in the summer, but it’s likely Tottenham would wait until they are presented with a deal for Vicario to leave before making a move to avoid any complications.

Lunin praise

Speaking earlier this season, now former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said of Lunin: “He has great personality and is always prepared. He's proven that throughout his career, and we have a lot of confidence in him. He plays the role of always being ready when needed very well. It's a shame he conceded three goals, but he conveyed a lot of calm and confidence. We're counting on him when needed, and he'll play."

Back in 2024, then Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said of the goalkeeper after a Champions League win over RB Leipzig: "Lunin played an excellent game, the best since we've met. He didn't get much playing time before, but now he is progressing. I think this will give him confidence.”

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