Tottenham Eye Dean Henderson Swoop as Vicario Exit Looms

Spurs are reportedly casting their net towards Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson as they prepare for life without Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks come the summer transfer window.

The north London club's season has spiralled into genuine crisis territory. Igor Tudor's interim reign got off to a shocking start with a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday—hardly the rallying cry a desperate side needed. With Thomas Frank's sacking earlier this month and Ange Postecoglou's departure last summer, the revolving door at Tottenham has become something of a fixture.

The numbers make grim reading. Just two wins from their last 18 Premier League outings leaves Spurs sitting precariously close to the trapdoor, now only four points clear of West Ham in 18th. The unthinkable—a Championship-bound Tottenham—is no longer mere fantasy talk.

Vicario appears destined for pastures new, with Italian suitors reportedly circling. Should he depart, Spurs will need to act decisively in the goalkeeping market, and Henderson fits the profile they're chasing.

According to reports, Tottenham have identified the Crystal Palace stopper as a genuine target. Mick Brown, formerly Spurs' chief scout, believes Henderson ticks all the boxes. "Tottenham are looking at a few new goalkeepers," Brown told Football Insider. "If they can come to an agreement to sell Vicario in the summer, they're going to need to bring in a replacement for him and somebody who will improve their side. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, is somebody I hear Tottenham have been impressed by."

Brown pointed to Henderson's trajectory since the start of last season. "He's really upped his game for Palace and has become a crucial part of the success he's had, he's become a really top-class goalkeeper. He's an England international as well which will always appeal to a side like Tottenham."

However, Brown warned that prying Henderson away from Selhurst Park won't be straightforward. With Guehi's exit, Henderson has assumed the captaincy at Palace—a responsibility that underlines his importance to the club. "From a Palace point of view, they're not going to let him go easily because they've got other issues they have to deal with without having to replace their goalkeeper. He's a crucial player for them, he's the captain now after Guehi has left, so it won't be easy for Tottenham if they want to make a move for him."

Danny Murphy, speaking to BBC Sport, remains convinced Tottenham will escape the mire despite the alarming trajectory. "I would be really surprised if they weren't able to fight their way out of it," the former Liverpool midfielder said. "The games coming up are all huge. I think they will have just enough. The fact we are mentioning Spurs going down is unbelievable. It's absolutely ridiculous really. Whether you blame recruitment or the owners, it would be catastrophic for that club. I have heard some fans suggest going down could be the best thing. I just don't see that."