Tottenham Hotspur face their first test of resolve under Ange Postecoglou, with Brentford refusing to budge from a £40m valuation of Spain goalkeeper David Raya.
Raya has a year left on his contract and is keen to leave, with Tottenham heading a list of suitors that is reported to include Manchester United and Chelsea.
Spurs need to source an alternative to Hugo Lloris, who is expected to depart this summer with interest from Saudi Arabia and hometown club Nice.
The World Cup winner told French newspaper Nice-Matin last week that he was “coming to the end of an era” and wanted to leave Tottenham. “I have desires for other things,” he said.
Raya is understood to be near the top of their wishlist but reports emerged this week that their valuation is closer to £20m.
i understands such an offer would be rejected out of hand by Brentford.
The Bees have already recruited a replacement in the form of Netherlands international Mark Flekken, who signed from Freiburg, but sources say that has not hastened their need to sell Raya.
£11m signing Flekken shares many of Raya’s attributes and the two may end up battling it out for the No 1 spot if no one meets their asking price.
Last week Raya’s agent Jaume Munell was reported to have told Brentford they would have to lower their valuation or risk losing the player for nothing when his contract expires.
Brentford believe that Raya, capped twice by Spain last year, is already operating at an elite level and is the best option on the market for clubs looking to recruit a goalkeeper.
Whether Spurs, who have a comprehensive rebuild to oversee this close season under their new manager, agree is another matter.
There has been no contact over the player yet.
Brentford boast the Premier League‘s most impressive off-field set-up and there is reason for optimism as they attack the summer from a position of strength.
They have a settled squad but are not settling after a season in which they finished 9th.
The Bees held an end of season summit last week to assess areas where they need to improve and targeted recruitment is likely to follow.
But one possibility – that England striker and top scorer Ivan Toney would attract interest – is being ruled out with the player serving an eight month ban after being found guilty of breaching betting regulations.
The terms of the ban are such that he is not even allowed to train with the team until September.
He will return to first team action in January and has not given up hope of earning an England call-up for Euro 2024.
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