Jose Mourinho keen to replace Hugo Lloris with Mike Maignan
According to the French publication, Le10 Sport (h/t Express), Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is keen on signing Lille custodian Mike Maignan to replace the ageing Hugo Lloris in the summer transfer window. He is said to be a fan of Maignan’s power and physical strength.
The Frenchman joined Les Dogues in 2015 from Paris Saint-Germain. He made sporadic first-team appearances for the first two seasons before going on to establish himself as a regular in 2017-18.
He has since made 132 appearances for the French side and has kept a decent 42 clean sheets (h/t Transfermarkt). At 24, he is still young for a keeper and has his best years ahead of him.
Mourinho has made signing a long-term replacement for Lloris as a priority in the summer (h/t Express). The 33-year-old Frenchman is not getting any younger, necessitating the search for a replacement.
The catch remains that Spurs will only sign Maignan if Lloris is sold. Mourinho is not keen on having a competition for a No. 1 and there is no place for both players in the squad (h/t Express).
The Portuguese’s sentiments are understandable considering the defensive stability a well-acquianted backline can have. Chopping and changing is not likely to bring the best out of both keepers, with the defenders having to constantly adjust to either player’s styles.
Lille were not keen on selling the player last summer. According to the report they are willing to let him go this time around in a deal worth at least £17.5m.
Lloris has endured a particularly dismal season and has made a number of errors. On the contrary, Maignan has enjoyed a good run out and has kept 12 clean sheets in 28 Ligue 1 appearances so far.
Lille are currently in the fourth spot and Maignan has played a part in his side’s good run.
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Maignan has represented the French youth sides at different age groups. He received his first call up to the senior side for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Turkey and Andorra.
