Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly started discussions to extend the contract of one of their first-team goalkeepers.
Twenty-five-year-old Brandon Austin has come through the youth ranks in North London since making the move from Chelsea, and he has been part of the first-team picture for three years now.
Austin has been loaned out to both Viborg in Denmark and MLS outfit Orlando to increase his senior experience, although he is still waiting to make his senior debut for the Lilywhites.
Nevertheless, Austin has remained loyal to the North London giants, and thanks to the absence of Fraser Forster with a foot injury, he has served as Guglielmo Vicario's main deputy in recent weeks.
With Alfie Whiteman yet to make a matchday squad since recovering from a severe ankle injury, Austin - a former England youth international - has been on the bench for Spurs' last eight Premier League games.
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Tottenham "happy" to keep Austin at club
The 25-year-old can leave the club as a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the season, but according to football.london, talks over a contract extension have now begun.
Despite failing to make a single competitive appearance for the club, Austin is apparently happy to sign on the dotted line, while Spurs are also keen to retain his services for a little while longer.
The North London giants are said to have been left encouraged with Austin's improvement on the training pitches, but they also have a home-grown incentive to extend the goalkeeper's deal.
Tottenham are on course to qualify for European competition next season, sitting fifth in the Premier League table with six matches remaining, but their lack of locally-trained players could prove to be an issue.
Ange Postecoglou's side currently only have three home-grown players in their ranks - Whiteman, Austin and out-of-favour midfielder Oliver Skipp - one shy of the four required to register for continental tournaments.
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Those numbers will decrease if Skipp leaves in search of regular minutes, although Troy Parrott, Japhet Tanganga, Djed Spence and Ashley Phillips - all on loan elsewhere - would count towards the quota.
Which home-grown players could Tottenham target this summer?
It is still unclear whether the quartet will be at Tottenham next year, loaned out or sold permanently, so the Lilywhites may have to dip their toe into the transfer market to bolster their home-grown ranks.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher - out of contract in 2025 and yet to agree an extension - is still believed to be on Tottenham's radar and would help towards the home-grown tally, but Newcastle United are also after his services.
With a new centre-back also said to be on the agenda, Tottenham could prioritise the arrival of Fulham's former Manchester City starlet Tosin Adarabioyo, who will become a free agent in June as things stand.
Ben Knapton
