Tottenham Hotspur have identified Georgian starlet Giorgi Mamardashvili to step into Hugo Lloris's shoes
(Image credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur have identified Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as Hugo Lloris's replacement.
Lloris has been between the sticks for over a decade, winning a World Cup during his time as a the Spurs captain. Now 36, however, the Lilywhites are beginning to look to the future, despite the Frenchman having signed a two-year deal relatively recently.
Lloris is contracted until 2024 but has made some high-profile errors already this season, including in the North London Derby when he gifted Gabriel Jesus Arsenal's second goal.
Hugo Lloris has come under criticism this season with pundits remarking that it's time for Tottenham to replace their long-standing captain (Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Italian source Tuttomercatoweb says that Tottenham are interested in La Liga stopper Mamardashvili, who has impressed for Valencia in recent times.
Still just 22, the Georgian is regarded as a wonderkid and has even signed a €100 million release clause in his latest contract. This works out to around £86m, which would break the world record for a goalkeeper, currently held by Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Manchester United are also said to be interested in signing the 6'4" custodian, who Valencia would perhaps listen to offers for. In recent years, the club has become more of a selling outfit than ever and would likely accept a good bid, should either Premier League team come in for their star.
Tottenham have also been linked with Jan Oblak and Illan Meslier. The former feels out of reach, however, while the latter is perhaps not at the standard that a Champions League club would need.
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Giorgi Mamardashvili is highly regarded in Spanish football (Image credit: Ivan Terron/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Tottenham head to Marseille in their final Champions League group match needing a result to progress to the knockout stages. At the weekend, they face an out-of-form Liverpool.
Mamardashvili is valued at around £18m by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
