Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman is set to leave the Premier League club this summer, with interest mounting from Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City.
The 26-year-old shot-stopper will become a free agent at the end of June after being told his contract will not be renewed, bringing an end to a nine-year spell in North London.
Blackburn and Oxford Among Clubs Eyeing Free-Agent Keeper
Whiteman, a former England U19 international, is understood to be eager for first-team football following years of limited opportunities at Spurs. According to SportsBoom, the keeper is drawing interest from across the Championship, with Blackburn and Stoke keen, and League One play-off finalists Oxford United also monitoring the situation.
The 6ft 2in goalkeeper has struggled for senior action since making his one and only competitive appearance for Tottenham in a Europa League tie against Ludogorets Razgrad in 2020. Despite being part of the squad that lifted this season’s Europa League trophy under Ange Postecoglou, Whiteman has seen his pathway blocked by £17.2 million first-choice Guglielmo Vicario and back-up keeper Antonin Kinsky.
He last featured regularly during a loan stint with Swedish club Degerfors in the 2022–23 campaign. A meniscus injury in 2021 and a further setback with an ankle problem during Spurs’ 2023 pre-season tour of Singapore further hampered his progression.
Having joined the Tottenham academy in 2015, Whiteman had been tipped for a bright future in his early years, impressing coaches with his agility and command of the area. But injuries and fierce competition for places have limited his impact, and with Spurs rebuilding under Postecoglou, the time has come for Whiteman to seek regular minutes elsewhere.
Blackburn Rovers are expected to be in the market for a new keeper after an inconsistent season between the posts, while Stoke City are preparing for a summer of change under new management. Oxford, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship, could offer Whiteman a platform to relaunch his career.
Writer’s View
Alfie Whiteman’s exit from Spurs offers a timely opportunity for an EFL club in need of a goalkeeper with pedigree and potential. While injuries and elite-level competition have limited his development, he’s still only 26 and has plenty of upside.
A move to a club like Oxford, where there’s momentum and a clear route to first-team football, could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career. For teams seeking a low-risk, high-ceiling goalkeeper on a free transfer, Whiteman could be one of the smartest pick-ups of the summer.
