Tottenham are set to battle Newcastle for a highly-rated French goalkeeper.
A new goalkeeper is on the agenda for both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, with the Premier League duo keeping tabs on RC Lens starlet Robin Risser.
A product of Strasbourg’s academy, Robin Risser, widely regarded as one of the top-performing goalkeepers in Ligue 2 last season, only moved to RC Lens in the summer. The France Under-21 international has enjoyed a breakout season in Ligue 1, playing a pivotal role in RC Lens’ rise as surprise title contenders. Pierre Sage’s side are second in the table, a point behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who have played a game less.
Risser is today one of the standout performers for the French side, keeping 10 clean sheets in 27 league games. He has only conceded 24 goals in the process. With the summer transfer window fast approaching, clubs are circling.
Newcastle United lead Tottenham in Robin Risser race
According to a report from Football Insider, Newcastle United are leading Tottenham in the race to sign Risser from Lens. However, the Ligue 1 side are not in a hurry to sell the 21-year-old, as they are challenging PSG for the title, and as such, they are holding out for a fee of around £34.5million to let him leave.
‘Les Lensois’ are on course to qualify for the Champions League and will hope to retain their top stars in a bid to enjoy a strong run in the continental competition next term. Risser is one of those, but a move to the Premier League might be tempting for the young shot-stopper amid interest from Newcastle and Spurs.
Newcastle hold a clear edge on Spurs in the race to sign Risser, purely because they are more likely to qualify for Europe. The French custodian has been identified as an option to replace Nick Pope, who has lost his starting berth to Aaron Ramsdale lately.
As for Spurs, Guglielmo Vicario is looking to leave the club at the end of the season. He has failed to convince the N17 bosses with his command and reliability, and after three hugely inconsistent campaigns, he is heading for the exit door amid Inter Milan links. Antonin Kinsky, the North Londoners’ No.2, endured a forgettable Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the last-16 tie in Madrid, making two high-profile errors that led to goals. Like Vicario, Kinsky is seeking an exit, preferably on loan.
Risser isn’t yet ready to replace Vicario as a No.1 but can provide the team with a reliable alternative when needed. Given his age, a deputy role could aid his development before getting him up to speed to challenge for a first XI spot. While the Lens glovesman is certainly an exciting prospect, Tottenham could do with someone experienced and better prepared to handle the demands of the English game. While beating Newcastle to the punch will be great, it will matter for little if we fail to do the due diligence.