Manchester City propose Hart swap deal for Spurs stopper Lloris

Media reports claim 5/1 Premier League title favourites Manchester City are preparing a player-plus-cash deal for Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Current Etihad number one Joe Hart is rumoured to be the makeweight.

Lloris, 27, is understood to have become frustrated by Spurs’ struggles this season – a point no better emphasised than by his recent comments that the team could hardly do much worse next term.

A change in the Tottenham dugout is widely expected this summer, with current head coach Tim Sherwood set to be axed as he looks like falling short of chairman Daniel Levy’s target of a top four finish.

Spurs are seven points off the final Champions League place, currently held by north London neighbours Arsenal, and there are just three Premier League matches left.

Coral no longer include Sherwood’s side in their top four finish market because of this gap, which will become unbridgeable if the Gunners beat Newcastle United.

Lloris joined Tottenham from Lyon in the summer of 2012 and, although reports in France say mega-rich Cote d’Azur outfit Monaco want to bring him back to Ligue 1, he is understood to be happy in England.

City look certain to be competing in the Champions League next term – something a number of high-profile Spurs players, including Lloris, are after.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men have a five-point cushion on a top four berth, and would seal their place in the elite European club competition with victory over Everton on May 3rd.

The Chilean coach of City is thought to have concerns over England number one Hart, stemming from his autumn slump that resulted in him being dropped. It is unclear at this stage how much either club values their respective custodians.

Lloris is seen as a keeper who commands his area more, possessing sound judgment about when to come off his line. Tottenham travel to Stoke City next, with their goalie priced at 21/10 to keep a clean sheet. Spurs are also 3/1 shots to win to nil.