Why Tottenham may finally have their answer on long-term target Bart Verbruggen

Tottenham Hotspur look unlikely to sign Bart Verbruggen this summer.

The Brighton goalkeeper has been touted to Tottenham dating back to last year.

However, links to the 23-year-old were arriving at a time when Spurs' goalkeeping situation was looking dire to say the least.

Guglielmo Vicario was enduring inconsistent performances, and Antonin Kinsky didn't yet look like Tottenham's long-term answer between the sticks, leading to many Lilywhites fans clamouring for a new number one.

By the end of the 2025-26 campaign though, Vicario had been relegated to a backup role as Kinsky put some high-profile errors behind him and started to come of age.

The Czech youth international has now earned the chance to retain his starting gloves for the 2026-27 season, but Tottenham may well have remained keen on signing Verbruggen if the opportunity arose this summer.

Bart Verbruggen's Brighton exit timeline revealed

Any potential transfer for Verbruggen this summer was made complicated by his involvement at the World Cup.

Indeed, he continues to be the Netherlands' number one goalkeeper, despite the presence of Sunderland's Robin Roefs in their squad.

Verbruggen played every single minute across the Dutch's four games at this summer's tournament, before Oranje were dumped out in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco.

Now back with Brighton, talkSPORT have reported that the Seagulls are expecting him to remain at the Amex for a minimum of 12 more months.

Tottenham's interest is detailed in the report alongside that of German giants Bayern Munich, with the keeper understood to have been delaying a decision over his future until after the World Cup.

But Albion are now said to be moving forward with the confidence that Verbruggen will be their starting shot-stopper once again in 2026-27, thus pouring further cold water on any potential switch to N17.

How did Verbruggen and Antonin Kinsky's Premier League stats compare in 2025-26?

Tottenham may well have to concede defeat over Verbruggen for another year, but by next summer, they could be calling his number again.

Depending on how Kinsky gets on next term, he will either have cemented his position as Spurs' starting goalkeeper of the future, or further questions will be getting asked of his viability to ascend into that role eventually.

The signing of 37-year-old Martin Dubravka isn't a long-term solution either, and so Verbruggen may yet be destined for North London, but not just yet.

As per FotMob, Verbruggen conceded an average of 1.21 goals per 90 in the Premier League last season, whilst also registering a save percentage of 69.7 and completing 76 per cent of his pass attempts successfully.

Kinsky, meanwhile, conceded only 1.00 goals per game last term, but did only register a save percentage of 58.8 per cent and completed 62.8 per cent of his passes respectively.

So, Kinsky does perhaps have a little way to go yet to convince Tottenham chiefs that should Verbruggen become available to them next summer, to not pull the trigger on that transfer.