Juventus Secures Guglielmo Vicario on Loan from Tottenham After Dropping Emiliano Martinez Pursuit

Juventus has finalized a deal to bring goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario back to Italy on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, including an option to buy. This move ends their chase for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

Shift in Goalkeeper Strategy

The Turin club had been negotiating for weeks with Aston Villa over Martinez but stepped away after Villa insisted on a €15 million (£12.8 million) price tag. Juventus then turned quickly to Tottenham, securing an agreement for Vicario's loan return to Serie A.

Loan Terms and Financial Details

The deal involves a loan with a non-mandatory purchase option of €10.5 million (£9 million), allowing Juventus to assess Vicario's performance during the season before deciding on a permanent transfer. This provides a cheaper alternative compared to their initial target.

Tottenham’s Changing Goalkeeping Plans

For Tottenham, this transfer reflects a new approach under coach Roberto De Zerbi, who favors Antonin Kinsky as his first-choice keeper. Vicario’s time at Spurs was mixed, including some costly errors and losing his place after hernia surgery in March.

Impact on Juventus Squad

Vicario arrives after three years in England, originally joining Tottenham from Empoli for about €20 million. He had been seen as successor to Hugo Lloris. His arrival is expected to shake up Juventus' goalkeeping lineup, with current keeper Michele Di Gregorio’s future uncertain. Reports say Di Gregorio has been offered on loan to Marseille and other clubs.

Spalletti’s Vision

Coach Luciano Spalletti wanted a goalkeeper skilled at building play from the back, something Vicario showed early in his Tottenham stint. Though his form dipped later, Juventus staff believe returning to Serie A will help him regain top form.

This signing is part of Juventus' larger summer changes, including acquiring Jhon Lucumi from Bologna. Vicario will be key to strengthening a defense undergoing significant updates as he adapts to Spalletti's tactics.