Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny believes that Tottenham Hotspur won’t pay £107m for Jan Oblak and that a fee must be negotiated.
Kenny was speaking to Football Insider amid speculation linking the shot-stopper with a move to north London.
According to the Evening Standard, Spurs have made the Atletico Madrid ace their ‘primary target to be their next no.1’ and have already ‘sounded out’ the Slovenian over a potential move.
Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are focusing on the position long-term with Hugo Lloris now 35 and his contract expiring in 2024.
However, the ‘keeper is thought to have a £107m release clause in his contract, which could derail any chances of a move.
While Kenny believes that Oblak would be a fitting replacement, he isn’t convinced the Lilywhites will part with such a hefty sum.
He told Football Insider: “Oblak is a very good goalkeeper, one of the best. But, wow, I can’t see them paying £107m if that is the price Atletico want for him.
“Listen, he is a cracking goalkeeper. Lloris has been there for years but he will need to be replaced at some point. The argument is, who is better than Oblak at this point? There aren’t many.
“I’m sure Oblak wants to test himself in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world with the best players.
“There is a deal to be done, there has to be, because I can’t see Tottenham paying that much money.”
TIF Thoughts on Oblak and Spurs…
Do Spurs need to replace Lloris yet?
Yes
No
With the Slovenian interested in a move to the Premier League himself, it would certainly make negotiations easier for Paratici and co, and having been labelled ‘sensational’ by journalist Josh Bunting, Oblak would most definitely be a capable successor to Lloris between the sticks.
He has kept a clean sheet almost once every two games at Atletico, with 178 shutouts in 361 appearances in the Spanish capital.
However, it remains to be seen whether an agreement can be struck, with it perhaps unlikely the release clause will be met considering Daniel Levy committed to spending north of £150m in the recent window.