Joe Hart Set For White Hart Lane Medical
Jose Mourinho is set to strengthen his Tottenham squad with former Clarets & England International goalkeeper Joe Hart on a free transfer. Hart, is to have a medical at Spurs this afternoon following his departure from Burnley in summer when his contract expired after two seasons at Turf Moor.
Mourinho wants cover for Hugo Lloris, who remains his No 1 goalkeeper, ahead of a campaign with added Europa League matches after qualification on the final day of the Premier League season. Paulo Gazzaniga stepped in for 17 matches last season when Lloris was injured and Hart will challenge the Argentinian as Mourinho’s No 2 with Michel Vorm’s contract expiring at the club.
Hart has been attractive to bigger clubs this summer as he is a homegrown player for Premier League and Uefa quotas. His dilemma has been whether to pursue a place as a first-choice goalkeeper at a club where he would be playing every week, after falling behind Nick Pope at Burnley last season and playing only in cup matches. Celtic were interested in taking him to Scotland, but Neil Lennon moved for Vasilios Barkas from AEK Athens
Joining a Europa League team will be seen as a chance for Hart to resurrect his career after losing his place at Manchester City upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival, which saw Ederson eventually become his No 1 after being targeted for his ability to play the ball out from the back. Hart, had loan spells at Torino in Italy and West Ham, eventually losing his status as England No 1 and looking for regular games.
Spurs’ search for cover to support Lloris also saw them look at Watford’s Ben Foster last season but the 37-year-old signed a new contract at Vicarage Road. Hart arrives on a free transfer, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg being Mourinho’s other arrival so far this summer.
