Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a move for Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as they are looking to bring a new backup option for Hugo Lloris. Michel Vorm is set to be out of contract by the end of the month and they will be in need of a deputy for their French international.
However, McCarthy has asked for an increase in his weekly salary and according to reports, he is demanding a new £60,000-a-week contract to stay at St. Mary’s. His contract is set to come to an end in 2019 and Southampton will be keen on giving him a new contract after his exploits in the just finished season.
McCarthy was crucial in Southampton’s survival run-in the latter half of the season as he became the preferred number 1 over Fraser Forster. After such performances, it is expected that he will be the number one for them in the next season but offers from some big clubs can certainly turn his head.
The Saints are already offering Forster a salary worth £60,000k a week which was improved upon just last year. It will be interesting to see how they will handle this dilemma and whether they will stick with McCarthy in the future.
The wages wouldn’t be that much of an issue for Spurs but the problem will be whether the player will be willing to make a switch to the North London club knowing that he will remain the second choice option. Hugo Lloris is the club captain and one doesn’t see him getting sidelined even if he makes one or two errors. So McCarthy might be a bit susceptible to join the London outfit.
Saints too wouldn’t want to keep two goalkeepers on a salary of £60,000k a week and it is highly likely that they will try to cash in by selling McCarthy to bigger clubs. The English custodian made 18 appearances in the Premier League and managed four clean sheets.
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Spurs can probably look at a much cheaper option if they are looking to bring in a backup goalkeeper. However, McCarthy can provide a good competition for Lloris which Vorm has not been able to during his stay with Tottenham. At 28, McCarthy will want to be a regular starter in a team and there are going to be quite a few Premier League clubs who might come in for him and make him their first choice goalkeeping option.
