Tottenham Hotspur have identified Sam Johnstone as a possible replacement for Hugo Lloris, according to The Daily Mail

The lowdown

Club captain Lloris, who turns 35 next month, is out of contract at the end of the current season. Spurs signed Pierluigi Gollini, who is 12 years the Frenchman's junior, on loan from Atalanta in the summer and will have the option to make that transfer permanent.

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Gollini had been racking up minutes in the Europa Conference League under Nuno Espirito Santo, only for Antonio Conte to select Lloris for his first game charge against Vitesse.

Intriguingly, Johnstone's West Bromwich Albion deal also runs until June 2022, raising the possibility of Spurs snapping him up on a free transfer.

The latest

The Daily Mail's report stated that Lloris has yet to hold talks with Spurs about extending his deal.

There has been no 'final decision' yet either, but there is now an 'acceptance' that Lloris' time in north London may be coming to an end.

Johnstone features on a list of potential successors, as does Manchester United's Dean Henderson, who is said to be frustrated with a lack of minutes at Old Trafford.

The verdict

Johnstone managed to impress last season even as West Brom suffered relegation. He led the Premier League for saves, finishing a full 19 ahead of Aaron Ramsdale, who has been excelling with Arsenal in recent weeks.

One save from the Albion 'keeper to preserve a point against Manchester United last February was hailed as 'unbelievable' and 'sensational' by Gary Lineker, and he was named the Players' Player and Fans' Player of the Season at The Hawthorns.

The 28-year-old can also count Gareth Southgate among his admirers, having recorded two England caps this autumn despite playing in the second tier. He had featured in the squad for the European Championship in the summer too.

The signs are that he would be a worthy heir to Lloris, should Spurs opt to pursue him.

In other news, this Spurs target would apparently be open to joining Conte and co.