Tottenham 'want Fraser Forster to be Hugo Lloris' backup next season as Antonio Conte chases a free transfer for the Southampton star'... with Pierluigi Gollini's loan spell ending this summer

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Tottenham are weighing up a free transfer for Southampton's Fraser Forster next season, according to reports. 

Hugo Lloris is still the club's undisputed No 1 this season, with Pierluigi Gollini unable to unseat him during his loan spell from Atalanta, and the Italian shot stopper is expected to return to Serie A when his deal ends this summer.

And according to the Athletic, Spurs are lining up England international Forster, who will be available for nothing when his contract at St Mary's expires in June. 

Tottenham are plotting a free transfer for Fraser Forster (L) as a back up to Hugo Lloris (R)

Spurs boss Antonio Conte is seeking a new home grown goalkeeper for next season  

Tottenham are preparing to bolster this squad next season - with Champions League looking like a real possibility after overtaking Arsenal in the race for a top four spot. They need just one point against Norwich City on the final day to secure it. 

And one position the club are keen to strengthen is in goal, with a back-up keeper to Lloris needed as Gollini prepares to depart.

Spurs are looking to do a deal for Forster when the season ends and like the idea of having a homegrown goalkeeper, the report adds, especially if they wrap up a place in the Champions League.

Pierluigi Gollini has been Lloris No 2 this season but his loan spell from Atalanta is set to end

Forster has already said his goodbyes to his Southampton team-mates, it claims, with the former Celtic man not expected to play in the club's final game of the season against Leicester City.

Experienced keeper Forster has six England caps and has been Southampton's main man in goal for the latter part of this season, with Alex McCarthy starting the campaign as Ralph Hasenhuttl's first choice before picking up an injury. 

Forster started his career with Newcastle before finding success with Celtic - where he played nearly 200 times - before spending the last eight seasons with Southampton. He returned to Celtic on loan in 2019-20. 

Forster has reportedly said his goodbyes as he prepares to leave the Saints this summer

He has been unable to claim the England No 1 spot during his career but has often formed part of Three Lions squads and was called up by Gareth Southgate for his group to face the Ivory Coast and Switzerland in March this year. 

Forster would be unlikely to replace Lloris, who is in his tenth season at Tottenham and signed a new two-year deal with the club to keep him in north London until 2024. 

The France captain - who won the World Cup in 2018 - said it was a 'privilege' to play for Tottenham and was happy with the team's progress under Conte.

'I feel really happy, obviously for me, but also for my family, to extend my stay in London and at Spurs for the next two years,' he said.

Lloris signed a new two year deal in January to keep him in north London until 2024

'I feel it's a privilege to play football and to play for such a big club like Spurs. Also, the relationship with the fans is important for me. In the last few months, I've felt their support even more than before. So, the decision was really easy to take for me.

'I'm really happy to be in this situation and to be focused now on the next months and years, to continue our work and to continue the development of our team.

'I believe we are in a new process under Antonio Conte, with strong team basics to give us a foundation and a structure. Then, it's up to the players to show their quality. Step by step, we'll then see improvement.

'Now, it's the beginning of a new process and hopefully, with the help of Antonio and his staff, with his experience, with his energy, with his discipline, we're going to make something important for the club.'