Tottenham have considered an unlikely move for ex- Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in a bid to replace the ageing Hugo Lloris, reports from Italy claim.
Szczesny, 32, was signed by Fabio Paratici at Juventus and now Spurs' sporting director appears to want to reunite with the Poland international in North London. Having come through bitter rivals Arsenal's ranks before making 180 first-team appearances, Szczesny is now Juventus' first-choice goalkeeper but has entered the final 18 months of his contract with the Serie A giants.
While the deal includes an option to extend his stay for another season, Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport report that Paratici has been in touch with the Polish shot-stopper to discuss the prospect of him succeeding 36-year-old Lloris as Tottenham's No.1.
Unfortunately for the Spurs chief, it's claimed that Szczesny wants to continue playing for Juventus, where he's currently enjoying his sixth campaign. When his deal expires at the end of next term, unless his extension clause is triggered, the 32-year-old is understood to be keen on trying out Major League Soccer in North America.
Tottenham supporters may feel a sense of relief considering Szczesny has had fun ridiculing Tottenham since he left Arsenal to join Roma on loan eight years ago. In May 2016, when the Gunners pipped Spurs to second place in the Premier League - finishing above them for the 21st season in a row - the Pole filmed himself singing a rendition of the tune Arsenal fans would mock their rivals with.
"I'd love to get a fine for this," Szczesny smirked. "It's happened again, it's happened again... you know the rest [Tottenham Hotspur, it's happened again]."
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Although he wouldn't be Tottenham fans' ideal pick to replacing the long-serving Lloris, who's also set to see his contract run out in June 2024, Szczesny is in his prime and has only improved since dislodging the legendary Gianluigi Buffon after his first year in Turin.
At the World Cup he produced two outstanding penalty saves in the group stage. Poland would've gone home long before losing to Lloris' France in the round of 16 had it not been for Szczesny, whose string of spectacular saves in open play also kept Robert Lewandowski and co respectable in Qatar.
Spurs will hope to snap up a 'keeper in a similar vein of form, but the uncertainty surrounding manager Antonio Conte could scupper their transfer plans. Conte is out of contract in four months' time and there currently aren't any suggestions that the Italian boss will pen a new deal.
