Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, as new manager Ange Postecoglou looks to wrap up his first signing of the summer transfer window.
Spurs have been interested in signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya but are reluctant to meet their £40m asking price. Raya has a year left on his contract at Brentford and is unlikely to sign a new deal as he seeks a new adventure. This has led to the North London club at other goalkeeper options, with Ange Postecoglou keen to upgrade the position ahead of the 2023-24 season.
With Hugo Lloris having publicly declared his intention to leave the club after 11 years of service, Tottenham are now reportedly set to sign Guglielmo Vicario in an initial £17.2m deal from Empoli.
2022/23 was a real breakthrough season in Serie A for Vicario, 26, who was a solid performer in between the sticks for Empoli, conceding only 39 goals in 31 appearances. The Italian, who signed for Empoli permanently last summer from Cagliari, after spending the previous season on loan, was among the best shot-stoppers in Serie A this past campaign.
Guglielmo Vicario set to replace Hugo Lloris at Spurs
Hugo Lloris has been an incredible servant for Spurs, making over 360 appearances since arriving from Lyon in 2012. However, he has regressed over the last few years, and it is perhaps the right time for the French World Cup winner to leave Spurs, who are set to undergo a rebuilding phase under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs have not wasted much time in identifying Lloris’ replacement, with Guglielmo Vicario expected to join the club soon from Empoli. Vicario has quickly grown to become one of Italy’s most talented goalkeepers, and it is not a surprise that he is now close to sealing a switch to Spurs.
The 26-year-old is an excellent shot-stopper with agility and catlike reflexes, and his big performances throughout the last season helped Empoli finish 14th in the table. Vicario has become physically and athletically more dominant in his two seasons with the Tuscany-based club, whilst improving his composure on the ball. He is extremely confident and effective in possession, which will help Postecoglou to play possession-based football and build from the back at Spurs.
However, Vicario does not have the experience of playing at the highest level and may take time to adapt to the demands of Premier League football. He is not the finished product and still can improve a lot, especially with his long-range distribution.
Yet, for someone who is rated among the best goalkeepers in Italy and has the potential to replace Lloris currently and in the future, Spurs could bag a bargain by signing Vicario for an initial £17.2m from Empoli.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
