Tottenham Transfer News: Hugo Lloris Contract Standoff Reported, Latest Rumours

Hugo Lloris and Tottenham Hotspur are still “some distance apart” over terms for a new contract, according to John Cross of the Mirror.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper is reportedly keen to commit his future to the club, but his wage demands reportedly fall outside chairman Daniel Levy’s infamously strict wage structure. It's said the club have no plans to formally begin discussions of a new deal until next summer, since the Frenchman’s contract does not expire until 2019.

However, Lloris is one of the world’s best goalkeepers and could earn considerably more money if he was to ask for a transfer away from White Hart Lane. Levy is known to be one of the toughest negotiators in football, which might worry Spurs fans who are keenly aware that their chairman will not blink.

The club have been looking to tie up many of their star players on long-term contracts in recent months, with Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Danny Rose, and Kyle Walker all committing to long-term deals. An ability to convince star players to sign for considerably lower wages than would be offered by rival clubs is one of Levy’s key skills—and perhaps the most important reason behind their ascent into the top four.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Lloris and Harry Kane are yet to put pen to paper, although both players want to stay in north London for the foreseeable future, as per Cross, who also noted Levy’s stance means that neither Kane nor Lloris are likely to be offered more than £100,000-a-week.

Kane made a goalscoring return from injury in the north London derby on November 6, underlining his importance to the club at a time when new signing Vincent Janssen has underwhelmed fans. The 22-year-old Dutchman has only scored twice in 11 games in all competitions.

There is no doubt that Lloris and Kane could earn more money elsewhere. Lloris has kept eight clean sheets already this season, and he plays a fundamental role in the club’s phenomenal defensive record. Spurs have conceded just six goals in the league this campaign, thanks in part to Lloris’ exceptional organisational skills.

His clean-sheet record since joining the club has been first class:

He is equally important in instigating Spurs attacks. A sweeper-keeper with excellent ball control, Lloris would arguably be the most difficult player in the squad to replace. Pochettino will be hoping that the standoff comes to an end soon.

But not everyone believes that new contracts are necessarily a good idea. Glenn Hoddle told BT Sport (h/t Cross) that Tottenham’s players have “taken their foot off the pedal” since signing new long-term deals. Spurs are without a win in seven matches.

His comments came after Spurs’ lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at Wembley Stadium.

Even if Hoddle is right, Spurs still need to ensure that key players such as Lloris are eventually tied down, even if there is no hurry to resolve the stalemate. Pochettino needs Lloris at his best if Spurs are to end their poor run of form and challenge for the title.