Juventus have reached a season-long loan agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to bring Guglielmo Vicario back to Serie A, according to Sky Sports. The deal includes a non-mandatory option to purchase the 29-year-old permanently for £8.5m (€10m). Vicario is expected to leave north London immediately.
The agreement ends a frantic few days in Juventus’ goalkeeper search. Their summer had been dominated by a lengthy pursuit of Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, but that chase collapsed after Villa rejected a bid worth up to €10m and concerns over the Argentine’s finger injury mounted. Juve chose not to return with a higher offer.
Why the Martinez Deal Broke Down
As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Black & White & Read All Over, Juventus had submitted a revised proposal for Martinez over the weekend that could have reached €10m in value. Despite previously agreeing personal terms with the World Cup winner back in June, it was Juventus who ultimately walked away. Villa’s firm valuation and the injury doubts proved too much to overcome.
Momentum shifted quickly. Villa moved to address their own goalkeeping situation by agreeing a £29.9m (€35m) deal with Parma to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki, Sky Sports reported. That acquisition left Martinez’s future at Villa Park uncertain, with his contract nearing expiry.
Vicario’s Route Back to Italy
Vicario joined Tottenham from Empoli in 2023 and was the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for his opening three seasons in England. His standing at the club changed this summer after manager Roberto De Zerbi elevated Antonin Kinsky as his preferred number one, with Martin Dubravka also in the squad. Vicario did not feature in pre-season.
Sky Sports News had flagged as far back as June that Vicario was likely to depart. His desire to return to Italian football made the Juventus move attractive. Contacts between the two clubs accelerated over the weekend before a final agreement was reached.
Loan Structure Suits Both Clubs
According to Dawan Africa, the loan framework suits Juventus’ financial position this summer. Taking Vicario on an initial basis reduces their immediate outlay while allowing the club to assess him across a full Serie A campaign before deciding whether to trigger the purchase option. For Tottenham, it resolves a surplus goalkeeping situation cleanly.
Vicario brings Premier League experience and Italy international status to Turin. His familiarity with Italian football should ease any transition.
Suzuki Deal Reshapes the Goalkeeping Market
The Suzuki transfer is a notable subplot. Juventus had also considered the Japanese goalkeeper as a loan target, contingent on him completing a move to Paris Saint-Germain. That PSG deal stalled, allowing Villa to step in and secure Suzuki outright from Parma. With Suzuki heading to Villa Park and Vicario heading to Turin, the scramble for goalkeeping cover across Serie A and the Premier League has reached a swift conclusion on both fronts.
