ManagerHarry Redknapp refused to blame Gomes publicly for Spurs' 1-0 defeatafter the Brazilian spilled Cristiano Ronaldo's speculative shot, butSportsmail understands it was the final straw for the Spurs boss.
Gomes'snational team-mate, Diego Alves, 25, of Almeria, has been watched bySpurs before, with Dynamo Kiev goalkeeper Maksym Koval, 18, anotherpossible long-term target. Tottenham also made an approach for Manchester City's No 2 Shay Given in January.
Not again: Tottenham keeper Gomes cannot stop a Cristiano Ronaldo shot dropping over the line
FormerPSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Gomes, 30, accepted full responsibility forhis dreadful error against Madrid but admitted it is unlikely to be hislast mistake.
Hesaid: 'The ball moved a little bit but it was a mistake and I acceptit. This was not my first mistake and I know it will not be the lastone in my career, but I need to show character like I did before.? Itwas a difficult moment for me but I have to look forward.'
What have I done? Gomes looks dejected after the mistake which looks set to herald his exit from White Hart Lane
Spursboss Redknapp was not convinced by Gomes's ability when he took over asmanager in October 2008 but brought in a new goalkeeping coach,Tottenham's 1984 UEFA Cup winner Tony Parks, and saw an improvement inthe Brazilian's performances.
Butthe manager still felt it necessary to sign the experienced CarloCudicini, now 37, in January 2009 and Croatia goalkeeper StipePletikosa on a season-long loan last summer. Spurs still have theoption to sign the 32-year-old permanently from Spartak Moscow for?1.6m.
Spurs captain Michael Dawson expressed sympathy for Gomes after the match but no team-mate went to console him after his error.
Dawsonsaid: 'I'm gutted for him. It's unfortunate. He's fantastic - he'spulled us out of trouble on many occasions so it's unfortunate for him,but we win together and lose together.'
TheEngland defender, 27, also vowed to lead Spurs back into the ChampionsLeague next season following their quarter-final exit.
Tottenhamare three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have playeda game more, with seven games to go in the Barclays Premier League.
Redknapp'sside must travel to Eastlands on May 10 and also face difficultfixtures away at Chelsea and Liverpool and at home to Arsenal.
ButDawson said: 'The Champions League is where you want to be. The lastcouple of seasons we've been in the Europa League but every playerwants to play in the Champions League. We have been there, done it andwe are hungry for more.
'I'vebeen lucky enough to play many years in the Premier League and the nextstep is to play in the Champions League to take on the best in theworld.'
Positive: Dawson (far right) maintains Spurs can revisit Europe's elite competition next season
?Spurs skipper Dawson desperate for another taste of Champions LeagueThey're on our patch! Orient begin legal action over West Ham's proposed Olympic Stadium moveLampard at the forefront of campaign to ban 'Yiddo' chants from standsAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion
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?Explore more:People: Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Dawson Places: Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Croatia
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail