Football Italia

Guglielmo Vicario was forced off in stoppage time on his Serie A debut for Juventus, with Mattia Perin replacing him for the closing moments of the 1-0 win at Frosinone.

The goalkeeper went down and called for the medical staff at the start of added time, unable to continue after they reached him. Luciano Spalletti had no choice but to make the change, with Perin hurriedly pulling on his gloves and taking over between the posts.

Vicario injury believed to be cramp on Juventus debut

That being said, early indications are not alarming. The problem appeared to be cramp, though nothing has been confirmed and fans will wait for an update.

The substitution saw Perin potentially play his last game for the club, as he is understood to be heading for Palermo, making him a curious emergency option, and Juventus are reportedly weighing up Wolfsburg’s Kamil Grabara as the long-term deputy to Vicario.

The former Tottenham goalkeeper had otherwise enjoyed a comfortable evening at the Stadio Benito Stirpe, with Frosinone struggling to create and Gleison Bremer’s first-half header proving enough.

Sandro Tonali and Roberto De Zerbi’s first Premier League match with Tottenham did not go to plan and the Italy international’s performance was so disappointing that he was loudly mocked by the home crowd during Saturday’s 3-0 loss against Brentford.

Trouble in Paradies for Tonali: Fans’ reactions after Brentford 3-0 Tottenham

Tottenham were soundly beaten 3-0 away against Brentford in their first Premier League match of the 2026-27 season on Saturday afternoon in a game that brought a first goal of the campaign for Italy talent Michael Kayode.

It was a particularly underwhelming first appearance for Tonali, who became Tottenham and Italy’s most expensive player ever when he joined from Newcastle at a cost of €115m earlier this summer.

BBC Sport gave Tonali a rating of just 4/10 after his first Premier League appearance for Tottenham, labelling it a ‘desperately poor debut’.

Tonali was loudly jeered on multiple occasions at the Gtech Stadium: Once for a particularly wild effort on the full volley from the edge of the area, which ended up high in the stands, closer to the corner flag than it was to the posts.

The home crowd cheered mockingly once again after Tonali ran into traffic on the edge of the penalty area while trying to dictate a Tottenham attack towards the end of the first half as well.

Tonali’s performance also led to criticism from supporters on social media, one account on X questioning whether his €115m price tag is ‘the worst overspend ever in English football’.

Some Newcastle fans have questioned whether Tonali is unable to perform to the highest level without his former midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes.

One account posted: “That performance today couldn’t be a more accurate representation of his performances without Bruno. They thought they were getting someone who dictates play; he absolutely cannot.”

Juventus have completed the signing of Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur, bringing an end to a goalkeeper search that dragged on for much of the summer.

According to Juventus’ official statement, the move is a loan with an obligation-free option to buy, running through to 30 June 2027. Should Juventus choose to make the deal permanent, they will pay Tottenham €8m, with a further €2m available in add-ons tied to unspecified performance targets.

Vicario arrives as Juventus close in on Frosinone opener

The 29-year-old goalkeeper came through Udinese’s youth ranks before spells at Venezia, Perugia, Cagliari and Empoli, where he made 69 Serie A appearances and established himself as one of the league’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

He moved to Tottenham in 2023, making 117 appearances and winning the Europa League in 2024/25 before this switch back to Italy.

The signing addresses a position that had become an increasingly urgent problem for Luciano Spalletti’s side, with Michele Di Gregorio‘s error-strewn form prompting the club to explore a string of alternatives over the summer, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, before turning to Vicario.

Mattia Perin and Carlo Pinsoglio remain the other options in Spalletti’s goalkeeping department, with their Serie A season kicking off against Frosinone on 23 August.

Juventus’ statement closed with a simple welcome to their new arrival: “Welcome to Juventus, Guglielmo!”

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has landed in Turin and will undergo his Juventus medical, ready to complete a loan with option to buy transfer.

The Italy international arrived at Caselle Airport this afternoon and was greeted by reporters before getting into the car.

Vicario set for Juventus medical

.@juventusfc, Guglielmo Vicario è arrivato a Torino pic.twitter.com/8PlfprmWnB

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 17, 2026

It was a short journey to the J|Medical Centre, part of the overall Juventus training ground complex where they perform medical tests and provide treatment.

The 29-year-old returns to Italy after his €18.5m move to Tottenham from Empoli in the summer of 2023.

It is widely believed to be a loan with option to buy at the end of the season for €8m plus up to another €2m in add-ons.

There is no clause or condition to make this into an obligation to purchase.

Vicario won the Europa League with Spurs in 2025, and amassed 117 appearances for the club, keeping 29 clean sheets.

He replaces Michele Di Gregorio, who is expected to make a return to Monza, and is not even in the squad for today’s friendly against the Juventus Next Gen side.

Guglielmo Vicario is set to join Juventus on loan with an option to buy from Tottenham after the Bianconeri decided against continuing talks with Aston Villa for Emiliano Martinez.

Italy international Vicario is set to return to Serie A, joining Serie A giants Juventus on loan from Tottenham.

Vicario set to join Juventus

Several sources, including The Athletic, Fabrizio Romano and Tuttosport, claim that Spurs and Juventus have reached an agreement today.

According to Romano, Vicario will land in Turin later today to undergo medical examinations with the Old Lady.

According to Tuttosport, it’s a loan move with an option to buy for a transfer package worth €10.5m.

Juventus had resumed talks with Aston Villa over Emiliano Martinez last week, but eventually walked away after learning that the Premier League side would not lower their €15m asking price.

Juventus were also concerned about Martinez’s fitness, as the Argentina international is dealing with a hand injury that could sideline him for several months.

Aston Villa are still expected to sign Sion Suzuki from Parma, while Juventus will be waiting for offers for Michele Di Gregorio.

According to Romano, the Juventus goalkeeper has attracted interest from Olympique Marseille and other European clubs.

Tottenham have rebuffed Juventus’ attempt to sign Guglielmo Vicario on loan, leaving the Bianconeri’s goalkeeper search unresolved.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spurs have not opened to the terms Juventus want for the Italy international, a loan without an obligation to buy, stalling a move that had been one of the club’s options between the posts.

Vicario, who won the Europa League with Tottenham in 2025, remains a possibility only if the London club soften their stance and agree to let him leave on those terms.

Juventus turn back to Martínez as Vicario stalls

With the Vicario route blocked, Juventus have returned to a familiar name: Emiliano Martínez. The Aston Villa goalkeeper is available once more, with the Villans closing in on Zion Suzuki from Parma after his proposed move to PSG collapsed.

Villa want €10m for the World Cup winner, while Juventus have offered €7m plus €3m in bonuses, a gap described as bridgeable.

The one note of caution concerns Martínez’s fitness, after he played through a finger problem at the World Cup that may require surgery. Carnevali and Massara, working within tight financial limits, hope to settle the matter within 48 hours.

Djed Spence was ‘drawn by the history’ and trophy haul at Inter, noting this ‘really is a massive club’ after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, and assures he ‘likes to take risks’ on the field.

The versatile full-back flew in on Thursday evening and underwent all his medical tests on Friday, finally announcing the transfer today.

It was a deal worth €35m including add-ons, plus a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee going to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spence has signed a contract to June 2031 at San Siro, returning to Serie A after his brief experience on loan at Genoa in 2024.

Spence admires Inter history

“This is a huge Club and a big step for me and my family. I’m over the moon to be here and I’m ready to get started,” he told the official club website.

“I was definitely drawn by the history. You only have to look behind us at all those trophies. This really is a massive Club.”

Inter added another two last season, winning the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia for a domestic Double.

Somewhat unusually for an England international, he has already played in England, France and Italy during his career.

“They’ve shaped me a lot. You learn so much when you play abroad. I can say I became a man when I was abroad and I’m grateful for those experiences,” added Spence.

During his previous spell at Genoa, he got to experience the atmosphere of San Siro.

“I remember it being a great time. So many legends have played there. It was a special experience, and now I’m happy to be coming back as an Inter player.”

When referencing the iconic goal-line clearance on Giuliano Simeone for Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, he assured that he is “the kind of player who likes to take risks, and that’s exactly what you’ll see from me at Inter.”

He is the replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who moved to Real Madrid, and brings added versatility by being able to play on the left too, but is better at defending than the Dutchman.

“My defensive ability is my biggest strength, along with my ball-carrying. I’d like to add more goals and assists to my game. If I can do that, I’ll be in a very, very good place.”

Djed Spence is officially a new Inter defender after completing the transfer from Tottenham for €35m including add-ons, signing a contract to June 2031.

He becomes the second England international to join the Nerazzurri this summer, after his fellow 2026 World Cup star John Stones arrived as a free agent from Manchester City.

Inter adventure begins for Spence

Spence landed late Thursday night in Milan, and had his full medical tests on Friday, both with the club and the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee).

With no issues to report, the contract was signed to June 2031 and is believed to be worth €2.5m per season plus performance-related bonuses.

Tottenham receive circa €31.5m upfront, plus up to another €3.5m in add-ons, and a 10 per cent cut of any future sale fee.

It is a return to Serie A for Spence, who already played for Genoa on loan for six months in 2024.

Able to play on the right or left, he celebrated his 26th birthday only last week.

He is seen as the ideal heir to Denzel Dumfries on the right for Inter, after the Dutchman’s move to Real Madrid.

Djed Spence has arrived in Milan and will undergo his Inter medical on Friday, ready to complete the transfer from Tottenham Hotspur for €35m including add-ons.

The agreement between the clubs was reached and the England international had no problem accepting the personal terms.

Spence lands for Inter

As expected, he flew into Milan late on Thursday night and was greeted by media at the airport, where he waved and said: ‘Forza Inter.’

Djed Spence è arrivato a Milano! Il laterale inglese sosterrà le visite mediche da nuovo giocatore dell’@Inter. @SkySport pic.twitter.com/jTRJb8SNF4

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 13, 2026

The cost of the operation is believed to be €31.5m plus add-ons to reach the €35m mark, while Tottenham will also retain a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee.

Spence is the heir to Denzel Dumfries, who made the move to Real Madrid this summer, but can also play just as well on the left flank as the right.

He is no stranger to Serie A, having already played with Genoa on loan from Spurs for six months in 2024.

Sky Sport Italia claim Zion Suzuki is less likely to join Juventus on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, if he is sold by Parma, so they are instead turning back to Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.

The deal had seemed imminent both for PSG to purchase the Japan international from Parma, and then to loan him out immediately back to Serie A with Juve.

It was believed they were just waiting for the Champions League winners to finish their European Supercup celebrations after beating Aston Villa 2-1 last night.

Juventus worried by PSG, call Tottenham

However, Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio claims there has been a sudden slowdown in the communication between the clubs.

At the same time, L’Equipe note that Suzuki might become the PSG first choice goalkeeper this season, which would send Lucas Chevalier out the door instead.

This has prompted Juve to fear Suzuki won’t be heading their way, so are rushing to get Plan B sorted out.

It’s reported this too would be a loan, this time for Tottenham Hotspur’s Italian goalkeeper Vicario.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs would be open to a pure loan for the former Empoli shot-stopper, so they might have to include an option or even obligation to buy.

The reason Juventus only want goalkeepers on loan this season is because they are said to be waiting for Alisson Becker to become a free agent when his Liverpool contract expires in June 2027.

Therefore, anyone taking the gloves this term is purely a stop-gap solution.