Report: Tottenham prioritising a move for German star with £438m release clause

Spurs Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur prioritising a deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen

According to Jeunes Footeux (h/t Express), manager Antonio Conte has asked Tottenham Hotspur to prioritise a deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The 30-year-old Germany international is one of the finest goalkeepers in the business but has a ridiculous £438million release clause written into his current contract. His deal does not expire before the summer of 2025.

Ter Stegen may be 30 years old but he is still five years young than our captain Hugo Lloris. The France international is 35 and in the final two years of his contract (Transfermarkt) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Barring his mistakes in the 3-1 loss against Arsenal in the north London derby on Saturday, Lloris has barely shown any signs that he needs replacing. But such is the physical demands of the sport that players around Lloris’ age start thinking about retirement.

Should Spurs go for it?

Ter Stegen is one of manager Xavi Hernandez’s trusted starters at the Catalan club and has played in nine matches already this season. It remains to be seen if Barca are open to parting ways with the 2017 Confederations Cup winner.

Like Spurs, they don’t really have a readymade replacement for their number 1 goalkeeper. Arnau Teras is too young to take over the mantle right now while 23-year-old Inaki Pena is an unknown quantity when it comes to being the number 1 at a top club.

It is highly unlikely that Spurs or any other club in the world for that matter, are willing to pay Ter Stegen’s unfathomable release clause. But having such a clause inserted into the contract doesn’t mean a player cannot leave unless the figure is met.

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If Barca are open to a sensible offer, then this is a move Tottenham would be smart to make. Leeds United’s Illan Meslier is another goalkeeper who is said to be on our radar.