Tottenham are planning to replace goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario next season.
It seemed that Guglielmo Vicario would join Inter Milan in the upcoming summer transfer window, as Italian champions had agreed personal terms with the Tottenham Hotspur No.1 back in April. However, in a big surprise, Inter Milan dropped their pursuit of Vicario, banking on an in-house solution to replace the veteran Yann Sommer.
Juventus have since emerged as the most likely destination for the Italian shot-stopper this summer. Vicario’s Serie A experience with Empoli before his Spurs stint provides sufficient credentials for a Juventus side seeking stability in goal under manager Luciano Spalletti.
Tottenham struggled defensively this past season and will want to bring in an experienced man between the sticks in the event of Vicario’s departure in the summer. The North Londoners have been scouring the goalkeeping market for months now; they have been keeping tabs on Lucas Chevalier of Paris Saint-Germain, while Benfica star Anatoliy Trubin is on their radar.
Tottenham primed to make move for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford
Manchester City glovesman James Trafford has also been linked with a move to Tottenham. The Englishman returned to the Etihad Stadium last summer. He had high hopes of becoming Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper.
However, the Sky Blues signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG on deadline day, which immediately demoted James Trafford to the club’s second-choice goalkeeper. This limited the 23-year-old to appearances in domestic cup competitions, and while Trafford helped Man City win both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, he definitely wanted to play more.
Now, according to a report from TEAMtalk, Spurs are ‘primed to make a move’ for Trafford. The North London club bosses view the England international as a reliable long-term option between the posts, although they are set to face competition from Aston Villa and Newcastle United for his signature.
The prospect of regular first-team football at White Hart Lane and working with a highly-rated tactician in De Zerbi could appeal greatly to Trafford. The ex-Burnley star cannot afford to sit and operate as a back-up goalkeeper to Donnarumma and must leave City to continue his development. A reliable pair of hands, composed on the ball and a leader with strong command in the box, the Cockermouth-born talent would be an ideal fit for De Zerbi’s possession-based style of play.
The report adds Trafford’s contract does not expire until 2029, and City are expected to demand above £40m for their academy star, having spent £30m to bring him back last year. The talented custodian has been told he is sellable this summer and that the Mancunian club will consider offers.
That said, it is now up to De Zerbi whether to push our club to meet City’s £40m asking price for Trafford, or promote Antonin Kinsky as the No.1 next season.