Tottenham Hotspur have excluded goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from their squad for the pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia. While the club officially cited a minor knock as the reason for his withdrawal, Italian media reports indicate the decision signals the Italy international’s imminent departure from North London.
Publications including Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Spurs’ omission of Vicario confirms he is not part of the club’s plans for the upcoming campaign. The development has strengthened Juventus‘s position in their pursuit of the 27-year-old, who has found himself marginalised since joining from Empoli in 2023.
Juventus seek new number one
The Turin club are actively searching for a starting goalkeeper ahead of the 2026-27 season. Their initial priority was Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, but negotiations with the Premier League side have stalled, making an agreement appear increasingly improbable.
This shift has accelerated Juventus’s interest in Vicario. The Serie A side have tracked the former Empoli keeper for several months and now view him as their primary alternative to Martinez. Excluding a player from pre-season travel typically indicates a transfer is imminent, as managers rarely risk injury to assets they intend to sell.
Proposed deal structure
Juventus intend to approach Tottenham with a loan offer that includes an option to purchase the player permanently. This formula would allow the Italian club to assess Vicario’s fit within their system before committing to a full transfer.
Earlier reports indicated that Tottenham valued Vicario at approximately €20 million for a permanent sale. However, with the goalkeeper now omitted from pre-season activities and apparently surplus to requirements, the Premier League club may be compelled to accept a temporary arrangement to facilitate his exit.
The coming days will prove crucial as both clubs negotiate terms. For Vicario, a return to Serie A would offer the prospect of regular first-team football, while Juventus require a reliable shot-stopper to anchor their defence for the forthcoming campaign.