Ange Postecoglou admitted before last week’s game against Manchester United that his playing group is “too big as is” and that the “focus” would be on “trimming the squad down”.
That is proving somewhat tricky though, with the future of three players in particular still under a cloud.
Starting with Hugo Lloris, The Athletic reported last week that Lazio and Tottenham are in talks about a potential deal but there is a key stumbling block.
Lazio is after a free transfer while Spurs want a small fee while also complicating matters is the fact Lloris himself does not want to be the second option at goalkeeper, per The Athletic.
Of course, at Lazio that would be the reality given he would be playing behind last season’s Serie A goalkeeper of the year Ivan Provedel.
“I’m not really across it,” Postecoglou said last week when asked about Lloris’ future.
“With the outgoings I have very little control over it. My focus has to be on what’s in front of us and who’s training. I’m assuming that as we get closer to the end of the window everything will accelerate.”
It has been a similarly frustrating process when it comes to Tanguy Ndombele, with the French international another name to monitor before the end of the transfer window.
Ligue 1 side Rennes are said to be interested in signing the midfielder on loan while there has also been interest from Turkey.
Ndombele though apparently has no interest in playing there while the Spurs are said to want between €15m ($A25m) and €20m ($A34m) for the 26-year-old according to The Athletic.
Put simply, a resolution does not seem close for Ndombele, who signed with Spurs on a club-record £55.4 million ($A110m) fee in the summer of 2019.
“Spurs don’t want him, with Postecoglou unimpressed with his timekeeping and general attitude and application, but no interested club has yet been able to come up with a good enough offer,” The Athletic report claimed.
Then there is Eric Dier, with The Athletic again reporting his future at Tottenham “remains in the balance”.
Spurs are said to be “keen” to move him on before the deadline given his contract runs out next summer.
But, as is the case with Lloris and Ndombele, there is a point of contention between club and player. On this occasion, Dier is said to prefer a move for free next June.
Dier is yet to be included in any of Postecoglou’s squads this season, although the Australian played down that fact when asked about the 29-year-old’s future last week.
“Eric is part of this team. We left a few out,” Postecoglou said.
“We left some players on the bench that are very good players. We need a strong squad, it’s not about 11 players.
“Eric is in the same boat as all the other boys. He’s working hard in training and available for selection. “My decisions then are what I think will give us the best chance of success for any given game and then we reassess the week after. Nothing really unusual there.”
