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EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham FAILS in shocking attempt to bring goalkeeper-turned-broadcaster Ben Foster out of retirement, and Premier League refuses to grant special dispensation despite Hugo Lloris’ injury
- With Hugo Lloris out for eight weeks, Tottenham considered a free agent move.
- Sportsmail understands that the Premier League thwarted a move for Ben Foster
- Teams require special waiver to register players outside the wickets
Tottenham have seen a plan to bring out of retirement former England goalkeeper Ben Foster frustrated by the Premier League.
Spurs were rocked last week by the news that number 1 Hugo Lloris would miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury.
The injury leaves Antonio Conte with only one senior goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, to select in the absence of captain Lloris.
As a result, Tottenham explored the possibility of signing a new goalkeeper on a short-term deal outside of the transfer window.
sports mail has learned that Foster was one of the main candidates to fill the void left by Lloris.
Tottenham tried to convince goalkeeper-turned-podcaster Ben Foster (pictured) to retire
Tottenham only have Fraser Forster (right) as a fit senior goalkeeper at the moment with No.1 Hugo Lloris (left) sidelined for eight weeks with a knee injury.
In certain circumstances, clubs are allowed to register players outside of the transfer window, but require a special waiver to do so.
However, his initial intention to entice Foster, a former Manchester United and West Brom player, out of retirement to sign for the club he supported as a child, or to sign any other goalkeeper, will not be approved by the Premier. League according to its current rules. He arrives as one more blow to the club.
Foster, 39, hung up his boots at the end of last season following Watford’s relegation from the Premier League.
He was offered a deal by Newcastle to play as a backup to first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope this season.
It is understood that it was an offer that he also seriously considered, but ultimately decided to retire from professional football.
However, Spurs were seriously considering making a formal move for Foster, who has eight caps, as they look to provide experienced cover for Forster, but Spurs now know the Premier League would avoid such a move.
Forster made only his second Premier League start since joining in the summer against Leicester on Saturday, but ensured a disappointing day as Spurs lost 4-1.
Antonio Conte’s team set their sights on Foster, who hung up his boots as a professional last season
The problem is that any move will not be approved by the Premier League under its current rules.
The 24-year-old Brandon Austin, who hasn’t made a single senior appearance for Tottenham, was on the bench at King Power Stadium.
Meanwhile, Tottenham fear key midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has suffered a serious knee injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.
The Uruguayan suffered the problem against Leicester and now faces a long period on the sidelines.
The concern is that Bentancur has suffered an ACL injury, but there has been no confirmation on the extent of the damage.
Similarly, Ryan Sessegnon will miss up to six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained in training this week to deal another heavy blow to Conte.
The left-back was absent from Saturday’s team that lost 4-1 to Leicester and will now miss at least a month. Sessegon picked up an injury earlier this week at the club’s Enfield headquarters.
The final extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but Sessegnon will be out for an extended period.
In addition to Lloris, Bentancur and Sessegnon, midfielder Yves Bissouma is also recovering from ankle surgery.