Tottenham locked in David Raya transfer talks but star midfielder set to be axed amid stylistic clash with Postecoglou
TOTTENHAM are locked in negotiations with Brentford over the signing of goalkeeper David Raya.
While the future at Spurs for midfielder Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg is looking uncertain.
Signing a new stopper is a priority for new boss Ange Postecoglou with Hugo Lloris set to leave the club this summer after 11 years of service.
Raya, 27, has emerged as a leading target after a stellar season with Brentford and has only one year remaining on his contract.
Yet the Bees have placed a £40million price tag on the Spanish international’s head – a fee that Spurs hope to negotiate down.
Ex-Blackburn man Raya, who would count as a homegrown player having been playing in England since the age of 16, made more saves than any other keeper in the Premier League last term.
But it is his ability with the ball at his feet which would be particularly well-suited to Postecoglou’s free-flowing style out from the back.
Meanwhile, Hojbjerg’s suitability to the approach of Spurs’ new Aussie chief seems less natural.
That is given the Dane, 27, has been more at home in a defensive, counter-attacking style seen under predecessors Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho.
And SunSport understands whether Hojbjerg, who has two years left on his current contract, will still be with the club come the end of the summer transfer window is in the balance.
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Postecoglou, who was appointed last week on a four-year deal after winning the treble with Celtic, does not officially start his new post until July 1.
He still needs to put together a backroom staff and is keen to bring assistant John Kennedy, first-team coach Gavin Strachan and video analyst Greg Wallace with him from Glasgow.
A stumbling block could prove to be the possible return of Brendan Rodgers to Parkhead.
Should the Northern Irishman agree to come back, he is likely to want to keep Kennedy in particular.
Spurs’ first-team coach Ryan Mason, who served as interim boss following Conte’s exit in March, is set to stay at the North London club.
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