Football Italia

It has been an eventful few weeks for Italy international Guglielmo Vicario over the last few weeks: From his howler against Fulham to the support he received against Newcastle, and with suggestions that he could be keen on a Serie A return, here is everything that’s happened with the former Empoli goalkeeper over the last few games.

What has happened to Vicario at Tottenham?

Collectively, Tottenham have struggled to get going after the November international break. Thomas Frank’s side had been in a respectable fifth place heading into the break, one point off the guaranteed Champions League positions and four points off second, but have since slipped down to 11th with a record of a draw and two defeats since then.

This troubling run of form began with a 4-1 hammering by arch rivals and league leaders Arsenal in the North London Derby, which was followed up with a surprise 2-1 defeat against another London outfit in Fulham.

Vicario earned his fair share of pelters after that Fulham game, given that he was directly at fault for the goal that sent the opponents 2-0 up: Rushing out of his area, taking far too long to clear and eventually deciding to play a hospital pass directly into the feet of goalscorer Harry Wilson.

Vicario was booed by the Tottenham supporters at the time, but those same supporters have since come out and shown their support for their goalkeeper during Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw away against Newcastle.

“3,000 up here, the way the supporters throughout the game were singing, and I also heard them singing and praising Vic throughout the game, that’s togetherness,” head coach Frank noted after full-time.

This is not the first time that Vicario has faced criticism during his Tottenham tenure, though. He has previously been called out on his lack of conviction from set-pieces and crosses, an issue which has occasionally spilled into his time with the Italy national team as well.

Why Vicario is being linked with a move back to Italy

Meanwhile, there have been multiple reports in Italy over the last few days claiming that Vicario is keen to return to Serie A over the summer. Two major newspapers in Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport both claim that Inter are particularly keen on bringing the 29-year-old back to his homeland.

The Nerazzurri are expected to part ways with veteran first-choice stopper Yann Sommer once his contract expires at the end of June, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for understudy Josep Martinez.

Vicario’s current salary is not considered excessive, reported to be around €2.8m per season in wages in North London, and there have been suggestions that Spurs will listen to offers in the region of €30m for Vicario in the summer.

If Tottenham were to sell Vicario, they might be wise to do so during the next summer transfer window, given that his contract is set to expire in 2028. If Spurs were to hold off for another year, Vicario would then be heading into the final year of his deal, which would likely bring a significant drop-off in value.

Tottenham coach Thomas Frank is glad that Spurs fans showed support towards Guglielmo Vicario during a 2-2 draw against Newcastle and is ‘pretty sure’ Destiny Udogie didn’t suffer an injury despite limping in the final minutes.

Tottenham coach Frank provided some updates on Italy internationals Vicario and Udogie after Spurs’ 2-2 away draw at Newcastle last night.

A brace from ex-Genoa star Cristian Romero helped the North Londoners secure one point at St. James’ Park, ending a three-game losing streak.

Frank: Tottenham fans put ‘much effort’ to support the team and Vicario

The away Tottenham fans sang for the team and Vicario during the match, easing the pressure on the Italian goalkeeper who had been booed following a clumsy error in a 2-1 home loss against Fulham in the previous weekend.

“You could hear them here, and it’s a difficult place to come as away fans and be loud enough so we can hear them,” Frank said via Football London.

“So they put so much effort into it, matched the effort from the team and that togetherness drove us forward, and it gave us a more than well-deserved point.”

Vicario’s teammate and compatriot, Udogie, added: “It’s always good to have the fans behind you and we’re really happy for Vic. We just keep going.”

Udogie fitness update after Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham

Udogie was seen limping in the final minutes, but Frank clarified that the Italian defender was doing fine.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I haven’t heard anything,” he concluded.

Vicario has made one Italy appearance under the new Azzurri coach, Gennaro Gattuso, while Udogie was not called up in September and November and was an unused substitute in October’s games against Estonia and Israel.

Gazzetta claims that Tottenham have set their sights on Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to potentially replace Inter target Guglielmo Vicario.

Tottenham’s interest in Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez could pave the way for Vicario’s Inter transfer in the summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

Martinez could replace Vicario at Tottenham

The pink paper had reported on Tuesday that Inter were once again interested in Vicario after failing to sign the Italian goalkeeper from Empoli in 2023.

The latest update suggests that Tottenham might be looking to Martinez in the summer to replace the Azzurri’s second-choice goalkeeper.

According to the report, Vicario wants to return to Serie A and has already informed his agents that this could be his last season in North London.

Inter’s obstacles in pursuit of Vicario

Martinez signed a new contract until 2029 with Aston Villa last summer, but his Tottenham transfer at the end of the season can’t be ruled out, according to Gazzetta.

The Nerazzurri are expected to need well over €25m to land Vicario next year, and they’ll also have to sit down with Fabio Paratici, hardly an easy task given his strained relationship with Inter President Beppe Marotta.

Reports in Italy claim that Inter have targeted Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for next summer, but Spurs’ asking price and a strained relationship between Fabio Paratici and the Nerazzurri President Beppe Marotta could hinder the Serie A club’s pursuit.

Inter are expected to part ways with Yann Sommer at the end of the season, and both Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport reported on Tuesday that the Nerazzurri have set their sights on Vicario as a potential replacement in 2026-27.

According to both newspapers, the 29-year-old wants to return to Italy at the end of the season, and Inter have been long-time admirers of the ex-Empoli star, having already held talks to sign him in 2023, before the goalkeeper moved to North London.

Will Inter spend 25m or more for Vicario?

Reports suggest that signing Vicario would cost Inter at least €25m, if not €30m, and it’s not guaranteed that club owners will give the green light to such investment, as their policy in the market is to sign mostly promising prospects with a low salary, as proved by recent acquisitions of Petar Sucic and Ange-Yoan Bonny, among others.

As highlighted by Gazzetta, however, there’s another possible obstacle on Inter’s way, given that Spurs director Fabio Paratici will be unwilling to do any favour to the Nerazzurri and especially to their President Beppe Marotta.

The pair worked together at Juventus for several years until 2018, when Marotta left the club a few months after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Marotta not on good terms with Paratici

The signing of the Portuguese forward helped strain the relationship between Paratici and Marotta, with the latter joining Inter a few months after leaving Juventus.

“I am on good terms with everyone at Juventus, except Paratici,” Marotta told Tuttosport in May 2021.

“The problem is on a human level, not professional.”

Reports in Italy claim that Inter have set their sights on Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who wants to return to Serie A in the summer.

La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport report that Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario wants to return to Serie A at the end of the season.

Report Vicario wants Serie A return

Both newspapers claim that Inter are following the Italy international with great interest, as the Nerazzurri are likely to part company with Yann Sommer at the end of the current campaign.

Inter already targeted Vicario in the summer of 2023, when André Onana joined Manchester United, but Tottenham outbid the Nerazzurri, who then picked Sommer instead.

Vicario is under contract in North London until June 2028 and earns £2.5m (circa €2.8m) per season.

Tottenham’s price tag for Vicario revealed

According to Gazzetta, Tottenham’s asking price is around €30m, while Corriere dello Sport says Spurs could even agree to let the goalkeeper leave at the end of the season for €25m.

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario takes ‘full responsibility’ for a clumsy error that cost Tottenham a 2-1 loss against Fulham on Saturday.

Italian goalkeeper Vicario made headlines for the wrong reasons in England yesterday as he gave away Tottenham’s second goal in a home game against Fulham.

The former Empoli star rushed outside his box to get the ball, but got the clearance wrong as he made a forward pass rather than going for the safer option and kicking the ball out.

Vicario’s message after Tottenham 1-2 Fulham

“I take full responsibility for the second goal we conceded,” Vicario wrote on Instagram.

“Moments like this hurt, especially when the results aren’t going our way. Now more than ever, it’s time to fight even harder and give everything for this club. COYS.”

Vicario was Italy’s starting goalkeeper in a World Cup qualifying fixture against Moldova earlier this month.

The 29-year-old made his senior Azzurri debut in March 2024 and has five international appearances under his belt.

Vicario has kept seven clean sheets in 19 appearances across all competitions with Tottenham this season, conceding 25 goals.

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will be frustrated with himself tonight after a clumsy error which led to his Tottenham Hotspur going 2-0 down to London rivals Fulham.

The match, taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was already tilted in the visitors’ favour after an early goal from Kenny Tete.

However, things went from bad to worse for Spurs. The Italian goalkeeper gets a clearance wrong which leads to him having to fight off the press by his own corner flag.

Instead of kicking the ball out for a throw-in or corner, the goalkeeper tries to play a forward pass, which goes straight to Fulham before Harry Wilson whipped the ball in from the far side.

Watch: Vicario error for Spurs

Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie hopes to score at least five goals and provide seven assists across all competitions this season and feels Italy’s World Cup play-off opponents are ‘within our reach’, but the Azzurri must be ‘ready and focused when we step on the pitch.’

Udogie spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his season for club and country.

The former Udinese defender has just started his third season in North London, but is still impressed by the high quality in the Premier League: “Certainly, the intensity and the quality in every match and against every opponent,” he said.

“Every game is very demanding; the level is extremely high, not only for top teams. I still haven’t fully gotten used to it.”

Intensity is surely the biggest difference that Udogie sees between Serie A and the Premier League.

“In terms of quality, the two leagues are quite similar, although maybe the Premier League is still slightly better. Even though the quality of Serie A players is extremely high right now,” he said.

Odogie reveals his Tottenham targets

The Italy international has already made 79 appearances with Spurs and feels he has improved in many aspects at the club.

“Mostly in understanding the game,” he said.

“When I arrived, I was frantic. More often than not, I acted on instinct and without thinking about the consequences. Now I understand the phases of the match better, and I can read situations over the 90 minutes much more effectively. It’s an aspect in which I feel I’ve really improved over these two years.”

The 23-year-old was asked which targets would leave him satisfied this season: “Certainly, managing to finish in one of the top four spots,” he replied.

“Personally, I’d like to try to reach five goals and seven assists across all competitions.”

Udogie on Italy’s World Cup hopes

Another big target for Udogie will be to help Italy qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The ex-Udinese defender watched the play-off draw last week alongside his teammate and compatriot Guglielmo Vicario.

“We followed it and talked about it. We said the matches are within our reach,” Udogie concluded.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Tottenham’s Mathys Tel is Roma’s primary target for the left wing in January, but a loan deal seems the only feasible option as Spurs are unwilling to discuss a permanent transfer.

Roma have set their sights on versatile Tottenham striker Tel, who, according to Gazzetta, is unhappy in North London, having been left out of the Champions League phase.

Tel reportedly unhappy at Tottenham

The Frenchman has scored two goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this term, but has only collected 359 minutes of football on the pitch.

Wednesday’s printed edition of Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Tel is Roma’s primary target for January as the Giallorossi look to boost Gian Piero Gasperini’s options in attack.

Roma’s top attacking targets in January

As Football Italia already reported last week, Gasperini will be looking for two attacking reinforcements in the winter transfer window: one centre-forward, possibly Joshua Zirkzee, and one winger.

According to Gazzetta, Tottenham have decided against selling Tel on a permanent transfer in January, which means a loan deal could be the best option for all the parties involved.

After failing to persuade Jadon Sancho to move to the Olimpico and welcoming Leon Bailey on loan from Aston Villa last summer, Roma are chasing another Premier League winger.

Former Juventus chief and current Tottenham director of sport Fabio Paratici insists he ‘always felt I did nothing wrong’ in the capital gains scandal that saw the Old Lady docked 10 points.

The Italian worked for Juve from 2010 until May 2021, but in April 2023 a ruling from the Italian sporting justice system found that Juventus artificially inflated transfer fees in order to boost capital gains, making it look as if the club was moving much bigger assets around than they possessed in reality.

Paratici was considered the mastermind behind the scheme and handed a 30-month ban, which expired in October 2025.

At that stage, he was welcomed back as director of sport at Tottenham Hotspur, a role he had originally taken in July 2021.

Paratici defends his Juventus career

“Considering my personality, when I faced this situation, I felt ashamed to defend myself. Because you only defend yourself when you have done something wrong, and inside myself, I always felt that I did nothing wrong,” Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a very long process, you have to deal with situations that you never thought you’d face. At the end of it all, you feel almost as if it improved you as a person.

“Nobody ever explained that Juventus and all the people involved, including me, were not condemned for the ‘artificial’ or distorted valuation of players, but for an accounting principle that had never been used before, or since.”

This investigation had already involved a total of 11 clubs (Juventus, Napoli, Genoa, Sampdoria, Empoli, Parma, Pisa, Pro Vercelli, Pescara, Novara and Chievo) in May 2022, when all of them and 61 directors were cleared.

It was because the authorities found it practically impossible to prove how much a player is worth on the transfer market.

However, Juventus were investigated again when new evidence emerged from wiretaps and documents suggesting a systematic boosting of these fees.

“There are dozens of criteria to change the valuation of a player, otherwise we wouldn’t talk about opportunities,” reiterated Paratici.

So if he felt himself innocent, why accept a plea bargain in the civil trial into the Juventus finances?

“Accepting a plea bargain was the responsible decision, because this situation dragged on for four and a half years, the sporting ban had already expired and the civil trial was only in the preliminary stage. We wouldn’t have known for years how or when it would conclude.

“That damages your career possibilities, so you decide to be responsible, accept the plea bargain and it ends there.”

Paratici had been on the verge of accepting a role as AC Milan director of sport over the summer, but they failed to agree terms and instead turned to Igli Tare.

“I am not going to ask myself why that didn’t work out,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I returned to Tottenham because they made me feel truly at home. They never judged me here, just showed support and help. There was never a moment when I felt they had doubts about me.”

He has noted some significant differences between working in Serie A and the Premier League.

“The approach is totally different, the institution itself is a global brand on a par with the NBA. It is watched all over the world, so there are a series of areas we can learn from in Italy. The biggest thing we need to do is improve the infrastructure, as stadiums and training grounds are fundamental.”