Exclusive: Tottenham targeting loan deal for England international Antonio Conte wanted two years ago

01/02/2025 07:15 AM

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone this month.

Right now, Ange Postecoglou has Fraser Forster between the sticks, who is deputising for Tottenham number one Guglielmo Vicario.

Vicario suffered a significant ankle injury in November, one that will continue to see him sidelined for a long period.

Therefore, 36-year-old Forster has now made seven Premier League appearances this term, performances that have coincided with a tough run of results for Postecoglou.

Tottenham exploring loan deal for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone

Now, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Baileyunderstands that Johnstone will be allowed to leave Wolves in January, who have turned to Jose Sa as their number one.

As a result, Spurs are ready to offer Johnstone an escape route this month.

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Tottenham wanted to sign Johnstone all the way back in 2022, a player who Antonio Conte eyed to compete with Hugo Lloris for the number one spot at the time.

Now, Spurs are looking for goalkeeping reinforcements once again with Forster standing in for Vicario as explained.

The chance to land Johnstone on a temporary basis appeals to Spurs, a 31-year-old with four caps for England.

Tottenham are now exploring a deal which would initially allow the shot-stopper to arrive in north London on loan.

How has Fraser Forster compared to Guglielmo Vicario?

Of course, it would then be assumed that Johnstone would replace Forster as number two, playing the remaining games that Vicario is missing for.

And judging by Forster's statistics in comparison to Vicario so far this season, Spurs would be making the right decision to seek a temporary upgrade.

Although, when you also include Johnstone's own numbers for Wolves this season, some may conclude that there won't be a significant upgrade after all.

However, Johnstone's numbers do need to be caveated by Wolves' situation during his appearances either side of injury this season.

Under Gary O'Neil, Wolves were suffering for long periods, form that Johnstone wasn't necessarily able to help turnaround.

However, it's easy to look back at the 31-year-old's form at West Bromwich Albion in the past to provide confidence, the kind of performances that earned his caps for England.