Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer window is already uncertain with the threat of relegation, and now Manuel Neuer could complicate things further.
It is difficult for Tottenham Hotspur to plan for the summer when they are currently on course to be relegated from the Premier League.
Nevertheless, Spurs are drawing up plans for new signings, with some first-team players likely to depart at the end of the season.
Guglielmo Vicario is one member of the Tottenham first-team squad who could be on the move. The Italian has been linked with Inter Milan, which means a new goalkeeper may need to be brought in.
Already, the club hierarchy have been working to identify a replacement for Vicario and reports a few months ago claimed Tottenham were admirers of Bart Verbruggen.
Tottenham must wait for Manuel Neuer before Bart Verbruggen move
Team Talk have reported that Tottenham will have to be patient before learning whether or not signing the Brighton shot-stopper is a possibility.
This is because Bayern Munich are also interested in securing his services, should Manuel Neuer retire at the end of the season.
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However, the German legend will not make up his mind until after a potential Champions League final at the end of May.
Speaking to Sky Deutschland this week, ex-Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said: “Isn’t now the perfect time to win all trophies with Bayern one last time and then retire at the very highest point possible?
“If he wins the Champions League again with Bayern, that would be his third title. He’s already a World Champion. Then it would be smart to say: ‘That’s it.’ – that’s quite an art for an athlete.”
Spurs face competition to sign Verbruggen
Brighton are looking to make a significant profit on Verbruggen, who cost them £16m when he was signed from Anderlecht three years ago.
Bayern would surely be the 23-year-old’s potential destination, but even if Neuer does not retire, Tottenham may have to compete with Inter. Of course, selling Vicario to the Italian side could solve that particular problem.
The Serie A club are also keen on Verbruggen, and if they won the race, Spurs would need to find a new buyer for Vicario.
Still, now that Roberto De Zerbi is the Tottenham manager, perhaps that will work as an incentive for the goalkeeper, considering their history together at the Seagulls.