Postecoglou hails ‘professional’ Lloris with Tottenham exit

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou remained tight-lipped on potential transfers before their trip to Burnley but did pay tribute to Hugo Lloris ahead of his anticipated departure on Friday.

Spurs are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window with frantic negotiations taking place on a number of incoming and outgoings.

Ex-captain Lloris made clear back in June his desire for a new challenge after 11 years at the Premier League club, and there is a growing expectation he will leave Tottenham before the 11pm deadline, the PA news agency understands.

Hugo Lloris has been at Tottenham for 11 years (Andrew Couldridge/PA)

Talks have taken place with Lazio this summer and there has been interest from the Saudi Pro League, while Roma have been speculated as a possible destination this week.

Lloris only has one year left on his contract and if no suitor can be found before the English transfer window closes on Friday night, PA understands the Frenchman may depart Tottenham by mutual consent with the final 12 months of his deal likely to be terminated.

When asked about the 36-year-old, Postecoglou said: “I have only been here a couple of months but Hugo has been excellent throughout the whole process.

“There is no doubt he has had an outstanding career and contribution to this football club. He has been the captain for quite a long time and been very professional, obviously working with (Rob) Burchy and the other goalkeepers.

“He has been helping the others, Vic (Guglielmo Vicario) being the new goalkeeper, so I have nothing negative to say about him and I wouldn’t.

“There has been nothing other than him being very, very professional about everything.”

Lloris is one of several players set to leave before 11pm, with Sergio Reguilon joining Manchester United on a season-long loan, which includes a break clause in January.

Centre-back Japhet Tanganga has agreed to sign for Bundesliga new boys Augsburg on loan, with an obligation to make the switch permanent for £6million euros if they stay in the German top flight or the defender makes a certain number of appearances.

Talks have taken place with Fulham over Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s departure while Tottenham will listen to offers for Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Tanguy Ndombele and Bryan Gil.

Meanwhile, an agreement has now been reached with Nottingham Forest for the signing of attacker Brennan Johnson, who has been given permission to travel for a medical, PA understands.

Johnson will sign in a £45m deal but Postecoglou stayed tight-lipped on any activity, adding: “I’m in a position where other people are in control of incomings and outgoings.

Brennan Johnson looks to be on his way to Tottenham (Joe Giddens/PA)

“I’m not really in the loop until things are concluded. For me to talk about potential players, where that’s ins or outs, when it may or may not happen is not my place.

“The countdown clock says nine or 10 hours. We’ll find everything out in the next short period and we’ll go from there.”

While Spurs are eager to trim their bloated squad by 11pm, some will fail to secure moves and may find themselves left out of the club’s 25-man list, which will need to be submitted to the Premier League on September 25.

Postecoglou was adamant the door is not closed on anyone, saying: “No one’s not been integrated, no one hasn’t been training with the team. I’m not isolating anyone at the moment.

“Players have got their own reasons for making these decisions but ultimately, come the deadline, we’re going to have to name a 25-man list and we’ve got more than that at the moment, so some people are going to miss out.

“It’s up to them to decide the next step. From my perspective, we haven’t excluded anyone from training.”