(Football news) Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is having his medical at Tottenham today ahead of his free transfer to Spurs. The goalkeeper was out of contract at Southampton this summer and is poised to become the first signing of the north London club. The 34-year-old previously had won six England caps and is now set to join as back-up keeper to Hugo Lloris, and most likely to play in the domestic competitions. Current number two goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is expected to return to Atalanta as his loan spell has ended and Spurs were keen to replace him with a homegrown option.
Forster leaves Southampton after amassing 162 appearances over an eight-year spell for them. Last season, he played 24 times in all competitions and made some brilliant saves at the end of the season, when Southampton were struggling for form. He is expected to be the first business of what is going to be a busy summer for the north London club, who are ready to back Antonio Conte in the transfer market after miraculously guiding them to the Champions League. Forster was one of three notable players that Southampton had picked up from Celtic alongside Virgil Van Dijk and Victor Wanyama. Tottenham have also handed a new four year contract to their young 18-year-old striker Dane Scarlett along with signing Forster.
This is a very sensible signing for Spurs to make at the beginning of a window as it nullifies an issue in which they needed reinforcements and in Forster, they get a player with bags of Premier League experience and also some experience in continental competition from his time at Celtic. At one point he was touted to be England’s number one keeper but him not getting regular football really hampered his potential growth and now at 34, his experience in the dressing room will be crucial. As for Spurs, their attention will now shift to strengthening some outfield positions as they are targeting a centre-back, wing-back, central midfielder, and a striker. Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni and Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus are said to be top priorities this season
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