Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move to sign Napoli star Alex Meret this summer as they look to back Roberto De Zerbi in the transfer market, although there is a twist according to AreaNapoli.
Tottenham will be frustrated after their 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Monday night, as they missed out on the opportunity to move four points clear of West Ham United in the relegation zone, and reach the magic 40-point mark as a result.
Spurs lie two points above the Irons with two Premier League fixtures left to play, and should Nuno Espirito Santo's men win at Newcastle United on Sunday evening, the north Londoners will be in the bottom three when they face arch-rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
If West Ham do win and Tottenham lose, De Zerbi's men will go into their final day clash at home to Everton in the drop zone, with their London neighbours hosting Leeds United at the same time.
Nevertheless, Tottenham chiefs will be making transfer plans should they preserve their Premier League status, with changes needed if they are to avoid being in this disastrous position again next season and beyond.
Tottenham Keen on Alex Meret Transfer
According to AreaNapoli, Alex Meret could leave Napoli in this summer transfer window having won the Serie A title twice during his eight seasons with the club.
The report says that while the 6 ft 3 goalkeeper is keen to remain in Italy should he leave the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he has interest from the Premier League and Ligue 1.
With Tottenham number one Guglielmo Vicario expected to depart the club this summer, whichever division they find themselves in next season, Spurs could be looking for a new first-choice goalkeeper at the end of the season.
Club executives are said to be open to having another Italian between the sticks should Vicario depart, with Meret a potential target.
However, the 29-year-old might be more likely to make a move to Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, given the relationship between his agent Federico Pastorello and the French outfit is stronger.
Meret has been ousted from the Napoli XI by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic this term, having also suffered injury issues himself.
De Zerbi Faces Tottenham Goalkeeper Conundrum
Reports last month suggested that Vicario has already reached a full agreement on personal terms to join Inter Milan this summer as a replacement for Yann Sommer.
The Italy international and Spurs appear to feel it is the right time to part ways, with Vicario keen to move back to his home country after three years in the Premier League.
Should Vicario depart, De Zerbi must decide whether he is going to replace him with a new number one or put his faith in Antonin Kinsky.
The Czechia goalkeeper's Tottenham career looked to be in severe doubt after he was hooked just 15 minutes into a nightmare Champions League debut appearance against Atletico Madrid, but he has started all of De Zerbi's matches so far as Vicario recovers from hernia surgery.
The 23-year-old has quickly recovered from the embarrassing moment against Diego Simeone's side, and he pulled off a world-class save to deny Sean Longstaff scoring for Leeds on Monday night.
The jury is out whether he is ready to be number one on a consistent basis, but he has improved his chances with his performances in recent weeks.