Tottenham targeting Steklenburg after failing in Lloris pursuit
Tottenham Hotspur will switch their attentions to Roma goalkeeper Maarten Steklenburg after losing patience with Lyon over Hugo Lloris.
Andre Villas-Boas was hoping to sign France international Lloris as the long-term replacement for Brad Friedel, who turned 41 in May, and was said to have submitted a £12 million bid to the Ligue 1 side.
President Jean-Michel Aulas denied receiving any offers for the 25-year-old last week stating that the shot stopper won’t be leaving the Stade Gerland unless he request otherwise.
“Tottenham made contact through [Lloris’] agent but there has been no concrete offer since,” Aulas said. “I don’t think they really want him, but we really want to keep him.
“He will stay at Lyon unless he absolutely wants to go. The best present we can give to the fans is finding a way to keep him. We will try to do just that.”
Reports now indicate that Villas-Boas will target Steklenburg despite the Holland keeper only joining Roma in a £5 million deal from from Ajax last summer after nine years at the club.
The 29-year-old has failed to settle in Italy and was said to be aggravated by the departure of coach Luis Enrique at the end of the season after just a year in charge.
Steklenburg is keen to leave the Stadio Olimpico and would favour a move to White Hart Lane where he would link up with former teammate Jan Vertonghen.
One sticking point could be the £8m price tag currently on his head whilst his agent Rob Jansen confirmed that his client is one of three goalkeepers currently being tracked by Spurs.
“There are several clubs who have contacted us about Maarten,” Jansen told De Telegraaf. “We will take a look at that interest.
“In the last weeks of the transfer window, some significant transfers can happen at some of the biggest clubs.
“Maarten is indeed one of the three goalkeepers who is on Tottenham Hotspur’s list.
“He is playing for a big club and happy. But Tottenham is also a big club and it has always been a dream for Maarten to play in the Premier League.”
