Over the summer, Tottenham Hotspur brought in Pierluigi Gollini as the 26-year-old seemed the heir apparent for Hugo Lloris, whose contract expires in June. However, the France international is reportedly talking with Spurs over a contract extension with the north London club.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper eyeing to remain with Spurs doesn’t spell good news for Gollini, who arrived on loan. According to The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare, Tottenham has concerns has regarding the Italy international’s fitness level, which explains why they want to extend Lloris.
“They have the option of signing Gollini permanently from Atalanta for €15 million (£12.9 million) at the end of the season, and an obligation to do so should he make 20 appearances during his season on loan (he’s on eight so far),”
“As it stands though, there are concerns among some at the club about his fitness, and so he has it all to do between now and the summer to show he’s worth sticking with. My suspicion is they will want someone who feels like a more realistic long-term No 1.” Eccleshare said.
Gollini has a €15-million option to buy on his loan, but if Spurs extends Lloris, it would be hard to imagine Tottenham spending that amount on a backup goalkeeper. The Italy international has made nine appearances with two clean sheets.
However, there’s also the possibility of going for another goalkeeper if they decline to extend Lloris, and the fitness concerns for Gollini are too significant for the Premier League side to exercise the option to buy.