Tottenham are looking at Marc-Andre ter Stegen as a solution amid serious consideration towards signing a new goalkeeper.
Guglielmo Vicario‘s status as Tottenham number one has taken some serious hits in recent weeks, after his error in the home defeat to Fulham got him booed by Spurs fans during the game.
Thomas Frank backed the Italian and decried critics as not real Spurs supporters after the game, but Vicario made two more major errors in the 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Vicario is thought to want out at Tottenham with Inter interested in taking him back to Serie A, and Ter Stegen could be the answer.
Tottenham eye Guglielmo Vicario replacement
Ter Stegen, the captain and long-time Barcelona number one, has just returned from a back injury but was informed in the summer that he would be relegated to third choice under Hansi Flick, behind new arrival Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczęsny.
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Despite this Catalan outlet Sport reports the German international doesn’t want to leave as his family is settled in Barcelona and plans to see out his contract, which runs until 2028.
His salary is said to be extremely important to him and he won’t give it up, even to secure a place at the World Cup this summer – according to The Athletic Ter Stegen is set to earn back large amounts of the salary deferrals he previously agreed in order to ease the club’s notoriously problematic finances over the remainder of that deal.
Sport reports that Besiktas, Bologna and Ajax have all inquired about signing the 33-year-old but he isn’t interested in any of them and none could afford his contract, while Man United are said to have been in touch through intermediaries but haven’t made a serious move – United signed Senne Lammens in the summer.
The situation is considered likely to only be changed by Tottenham entering the bidding, as Spurs are thought to be able to afford to sign him on loan in January, with a permanent option that incorporates his current contract.
In addition, London’s “excellent” transport links with Barcelona are noted as a plus point towards a deal being done.
Ter Stegen deal looks perfect, on paper
For all Frank is trying to support Vicario the situation looks like it can only end with a move, barring a stunning reversal in form for player and club.
Ter Stegen is about as experienced as they come at the top level and should be able to provide leadership, and an element of star power for a Spurs side that is struggling to establish an identity following the exits of big names such as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Tottenham appear to be relatively serious as they enquired about Ter Stegen already this season, and while he is 33 that age is usually far less of an issue for a goalkeeper than any other position, although he has had some significant recent injuries.
It is understandable that the German doesn’t want to miss out on what he’s owed by Barca if he helped the club out by deferring previously, but if the numbers work for Spurs it could be an ideal scenario for a couple of seasons.
Finances and fitness clearly must fit for the club to make it viable, but otherwise the newly-formed hierarchy in the wake of Daniel Levy’s exit needs to find a very good alternative.