Michel Vorm: An option for Leeds United
Earlier this week claims came from Barcelona that Tottenham are set to take up their buying option on Pau Lopez. The 22 year old is currently on loan at Spurs for the season with a clause in the deal meaning Tottenham can pay €7m to make it permanent.
If Mauricio Pochettino and his staff had decided against the permanent deal then a penalty would have had to be paid to Espanyol, so Pau staying always seemed likely. However, despite the youngster being first choice for Espanyol last season, he agreed to arrive at Spurs as third choice behind Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm, looking more long term.
The reports from Spain this week state that next season Pau will be second choice, part of the plan when he joined, having impressed the club during training. That sees 33 year old Vorm edged towards the exit, which will present an opportunity for many clubs, one of which could be Leeds United.
Garry Monk has got Leeds into the play-off places and they also have an outside chance of automatic promotion. The club’s current first choice goalkeeper is Rob Green, and the 37 year old’s contract ends in the summer.
Marco Silvestri is second choice, having been dropped for Green, with a contract until June 2018, and Ross Turnbull sees his deal end in the summer.
If Vorm really should be available from Tottenham, then Monk will surely give it consideration, promotion or not. Vorm played for Monk at Swansea City, before his switch to Spurs, and the two got along well.
Having also been teammates, Vorm backed Monk to get the Swansea managerial job on a permanent basis.
In 2014, Vorm said: “I like Garry Monk and I would like it very much if he was still manager next season.
“Obviously, at this point none of us know if he will be the manager next season. But I can guarantee that if he gets the job he will be amazing at it. He is dedicated to it. It is so hard to take over like he did, but he did it very well.
“Whatever happens, I think he is the best choice… He knows everyone and he works so hard – that is important here. We played together for more than two years so I know him as a person and as a player.”
A few months later Vorm signed for Tottenham, where he’s been second choice to Hugo Lloris since. The prospect of being first choice and teaming up with Monk again is clearly going to be a tempting one for the Spurs reserve.
In January it was reported in Italy that Silverstri is a summer target for Cagliari, which helps the pieces fit into place further.
Vorm has a season left on his Tottenham contract after the current one and whilst Leeds would have to pay a transfer fee higher than they’d likely get for Silvestri, it’s certainly a doable deal.
