Ange Postecoglou closes in on first Tottenham transfer as Man Utd miss out on target

Following Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as their new manager last week, Tottenham has made quick progress in the transfer market, edging in on one of

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s targets

In an effort to outbid Manchester United for the services of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, Tottenham is in negotiations with him.

After a protracted hunt to identify a long term replacement for Antonio Conte, Raya, 27, is poised to become the next Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou’s first acquisition.The Spanish international had been linked to a move to United, who are looking to add competition for David de Gea, a fellow countryman.

Goalkeepers that are at ease handling the ball and capable of participating in build-up play are desired by manager Erik ten Hag. Raya is just that; after rising through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers, he made an impression over four years at Brentford.

Hugo Lloris is due to leave North London this summer after 11 seasons as the No. 1 goalkeeper, therefore Postecoglou, who comes from Celtic with a reputation for playing enticing football, is looking for a long-term replacement. According to the Evening Standard, Spurs have turned to Raya, and negotiations on personal terms are going well.

United and Premier League rivals Chelsea are monitoring the situation, with Brentford sticking to their £40million price tag. Given that the Spaniard only has one year remaining on his contract, however, Tottenham are currently unwilling to bend to the Bees’ demands.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has already signed a new goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window opening this Wednesday, recruiting Freiburg’s Dutch shot-stopper, Mark Flekken, in an £11m deal. Raya had rejected two new contract offers from the Bees hierarchy, who accept that selling him this summer would be the best financial option.

“I want to play in Europe and I want to fight to win a title,” the 27-year-old told The Athletic in February. “I want to fight to win a European title. I trust myself to be able to play in those types of games.”

Meanwhile, the currently injured Lloris has confirmed that he’s open to an exit, telling French newspaper Nice-Matin: “We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me. It’s the end of an era. I have desires for other things, I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible.

“But I don’t forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen. What is essential at the moment is to recover well from my injury. I’m on vacation but I continue to talk and do my training. My goal is to be on top in July, then we’ll see what the future holds.”