France captain and Spain star targeted by new-look Tottenham

As Tottenham prepare for the inevitable loss of some key players this summer, Andre Villas-Boas is wasting no time in pursuing potential replacements, with Hugo Lloris and Santi Cazorla chief targets.

France captain Lloris has long been admired by Villas-Boas, and the Lyon stopper is a player the Portuguese coach tried to sign during his ill-fated tenure at Chelsea last year.

Now, he is determined to land the 25-year-old, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, though the Frenchman’s current club’s demands are causing the deal to stall.

Lyon are believed to want £16million for their captain, whilst Spurs were hoping to pay closer to £12million, a fee chairman Daniel Levy feels is more than adequate for a goalkeeper.

However, with first-choice Brad Friedel now 41, goalkeeper is a position Tottenham must strengthen as a priority, and Levy could be tempted to break the bank to acquire the France star.

Of course, the club is likely to have significant funds generated by the sale of Luka Modric, whose move to Real Madrid now appears only a matter of time.

Tottenham are hoping to recoup £35million for the Croatian, but Los Blancos are currently unwilling to go above £27million, meaning there are still some issues to iron out before a deal can be completed.

Villas-Boas appears to have already identified Modric’s White Hart Lane successor however, with Malaga’s Spain international Santi Cazorla interesting the Spurs chief.

Cazorla became Malaga’s record signing only a year ago, when they paid €22million to fellow La Liga side Villarreal for his services.

A recent row between club and player over unpaid wages has seen the pair’s relationship sour though, and the Euro 2012 winner could now be ready to explore other options.

He would be offered the chance to double his €2.5million per year wages in North London, and that may prove a prospect too tempting for the 27-year-old to turn down.

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