Transfer Talk: Why Spurs could swoop for Bees stopper Raya

Tottenham are reportedly planning to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya this summer. 

Hugo Lloris is currently the club's captain but a string of poor performances have led to speculation about his future.

The Bees, meanwhile, have placed a £40million price tag on their stopper despite his contract expiring in 2024. 

As Spurs welcome Raya and his team-mates to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon, they will no doubt be observing him closely ahead of a potential bid.

Lloris era over

Lloris has been a fantastic servant for Spurs but his time at the club appears to be over. 

The Frenchman has endured a poor season, making four errors leading to a goal in the Premier League. 

The 36-year-old was substituted at half-time during Spurs' embarrassing 6-1 defeat at Newcastle with an injury and has not featured since. 

That may well be his last appearance in a Tottenham shirt, a sad farewell for a player who has represented the club 447 times in all competitions over 11 years.

Raya excellence

Brentford are having a fine season, securing a top-half finish in the Premier League table for the first time in their history. 

Raya has been at the heart of their success, with the 27-year-old making a league-leading 146 saves this season. For context, Lloris has only made 79.

The Spaniard has also kept 11 clean sheets and only conceded 45 goals, helping the Bees establish themselves as one of the division's most solid sides.

What next?

There has already been speculation linking Lloris with a potential departure this summer. 

A move to Saudi Arabia has been mooted but a representative of the goalkeeper played down any suggestion that a deal is imminent.

Quoted in French media, that representative said: "He [Lloris] will study all the options available to him. There is nothing concrete yet."

Frank thoughts

Thomas Frank has admitted that Raya could leave Brentford in the summer but only for the right price. 

He said: "There is no doubt David is a case where there is one year left and we will see what will happen. 

"We are very happy with David here, everybody knows he is a £40m-plus goalkeeper if anyone is interested. 

"There is a possibility he will maybe leave this summer for the right price. If that happens, we need to be prepared like we are at left-back, right-back, striker."

Spurs audition

Raya lines up against Spurs this afternoon and will be keen to put on a good show in front of fans who could soon be his.

Fraser Forster has seen more action than he would have imagined as Spurs' back-up goalkeeper and has performed admirably in the absence of Lloris.

However, those promising displays are unlikely to have ended the North Londoners' interest in other stoppers.

If Raya impresses this afternoon, a summer switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium becomes increasingly likely.