Spurs fans on Twitter have been discussing Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan after he continued to be linked with a move to the North London club.
According to Tuttosport, as per Le10sport (via The Spurs Web), the Frenchman is Spurs’ priority in the summer window. Jose Mourinho plans to make him his second-choice ‘keeper, with Hugo Lloris slowly being phased out of the team and replaced by the Lille shot-stopper. In the recently abandoned Ligue 1 season, the 24-year-old averaged a disappointing 6.58 rating across 28 appearances (per WhoScored).
The shot-stopper did, however, keep 12 clean sheets and conceded just 27 goals in those 28 appearances (per Transfermarkt), which suggests that he had a decent season overall, as he helped Lille to a fourth-place finish. With the ‘keeper currently valued at £15.75 million, however, you wonder whether Spurs would be willing to part ways with the necessary funds in order to bring him to North London and also whether or not he would be willing to play second fiddle to Lloris.
Should Maignan arrive from Lille this summer, that would perhaps also spell the end for Paulo Gazzaniga at Spurs, although when the 28-year-old deputised for Lloris earlier in the season during the Frenchman’s spell on the sidelines, he did fairly well, averaging a 6.65 rating across his 18 appearances in the Premier League (per WhoScored).
Who would you rather have in goal?
Hugo Lloris
Mike Maignan
Reaction from Spurs fans to the reported interest in Maignan can be seen in the tweets below.
Very good GK. Much better than Ajax’ GK.
— gerddk (@gerd0602) June 3, 2020
I’m here for this 100%
— Jamie (@LilyWhiteSZN) June 3, 2020
I think it’s a good plan if true. Already got a lot of experience is a quality keeper and can learn a bit from Lloris before he leaves or retires spurs
— Nathan Lord (@NathanL67927613) June 3, 2020
Other Spurs fans were less impressed with the transfer rumour.
What a joke It’s really sad if rumors are true
— Alex Schwab (@Alexspurs92) June 3, 2020
A guy who can’t catch a ball but can save
— Djguy8000 (BLACK LIVES MATTER) (@djguy8000) June 3, 2020
Some fans completely disregarded the chances of this transfer even happening.
Literally no chance whatsoever of happening. We have very limited funds, you think we are going to use them on a backup keeper..? Pointless even posting it
— Tom (@Tom39862378) June 3, 2020
We are not signing him man. We’re sticking to Lloris this season.
— Shamit (@SHAMITTHFC) June 3, 2020
Overall, it seems as if Spurs fans are split on the potential signing of Maignan but with it having been previously reported that Mourinho will be reliant on free transfers and swap deals this summer, it is perhaps hard to see him spending big on a back-up keeper.