Tottenham to make improved €17m bid for Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

Jul 10, 2012 10:55:00 AM

The France captain is interested in a move to White Hart Lane, and negotiations are ongoing after an initial €15m offer for the 25-year-old was rebuffed by his current club

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Tottenham are preparing to make an improved €17 million (£13.5m) offer for Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as Andre Villas-Boas looks to make the France captain his long-term No.1.

Spurs had a €15m (£12m) offer rejected by the French club last week but are continuing negotiations, with the 25-year-old believed to be keen on a switch to White Hart Lane.

Lyon value Lloris at €20m (£15.8m) and are ready to sell the former Nice man to raise funds and ease their wage bill after missing out on a place in the Champions League for the coming season.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is unlikely to offer the full asking price but the Londoners are hopeful that a compromise can be reached as they plan for the new season.

New Spurs manager Villas-Boas has made Lloris his top choice as he targets a young goalkeeper to replace 41-year-old Brad Friedel, who is preparing for his final season as a professional. Heurelho Gomes, who fell out with former boss Harry Redknapp, is still likely to be sold despite the managerial change.

Lloris, who has also been linked with Arsenal and is under contract until 2015, would command wages of around £80,000, which is within Spurs' budget as they streamline the squad by selling fringe players. Tottenham have already signed midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and defender Jan Vertonghen this summer and are eager to complete their transfer business early, with a move for Emmanuel Adebayor also close to completion.

Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyon president, revealed earlier this month that Lloris could leave the Stade Gerland this summer.

"Lloris told me that he would like to leave if he has an opportunity to play for one of the five biggest European sides," Aulas told his club's official website last week.

"If any of these teams make an offer meeting his market value, €20m, he will be allowed to leave.

"For now, though, I have not received any offers, neither from Arsenal nor from elsewhere."

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