Sport Witness

Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario has come into question under Thomas Frank this season.

In the loss against Fulham, the goalkeeper was booed by fans after he made a critical error and responded by blaming others. This was followed by the Italian press stating he isn’t entirely happy at Spurs and wants to depart in the summer.

Inter Milan emerged as suitors for the 29-year-old, seeing him as a replacement for Yann Sommer. The Tottenham player has now spoken to Sky Italia about his career and has backed Frank to make a mark in London, despite early issues.

He said – relayed by Gianluca di Marzio: “He places a lot of emphasis on developing human resources and interpersonal relationships with players.”

Speaking further about Frank’s management style, Vicario said: “He creates a close and intimate connection with his players to try to make them feel an integral part of what will later become his football on the pitch.”

Praising the new Tottenham manager, the goalkeeper said: “Before being a coach, I believe Thomas Frank is first-rate as a person.”

Vicario also made it clear that he is enjoying playing Champions League football, which was a personal goal.

“When I moved here, getting there was a goal I set for myself. The music, the vibes that all the stadiums give you are something unique.”

The Italy international showed no signs of being unhappy at Tottenham during the interview. He also described the Europa League title win last season as the best moment of his career.

He sounds fully behind Frank, even if Spurs have had issues this season.

Tottenham Hotspur are holding up Fabio Paratici’s departure to Fiorentina as they demand that his contract be respected.

That’s according to Corriere Fiorentino journalist Ernesto Poesio. He’s provided background on Paratici’s move today via Labaro Viola.

Paratici was heavily linked with a return to Italy earlier this month. Several reports stated that Fiorentina had approached the Tottenham sporting director and that he was keen on returning to his homeland.

The Italian only returned to the club in October of this year after serving an 18-month ban handed down by FIFA. He’s been working alongside Johan Lange ever since, but reports made it clear he was keen to leave and head back to Italy.

All indications were that a deal would be done quickly. Indeed, Fiorentina were hoping he could be in place for the start of the January transfer window to lead their business during a crucial month for them.

Instead, he is yet to leave Tottenham. A report today stated that it could take some time before the proposed move to Fiorentina actually happens. Poesio now explains why, and it’s all to do with Tottenham’s stance.

“Paratici hasn’t arrived yet because he needs to be released,” he said.

“Either Tottenham releases him, or he stays at Tottenham, because Spurs demand that the contract be respected. I hope he doesn’t end up like Godot, who never arrived.

“It’s complicated to understand. He’s not coming because of the urgency Fiorentina has. With every defeat, the situation worsens. Paratici’s idea is to start his journey by working with Vanoli. In the meantime, however, things happen, they lose in Parma, there’s the complicated match against Cremonese.”

Mandela Keita has impressed in midfield for Parma since last season. The 23-year-old is now attracting interest from Tottenham.

He has played over 1100 minutes in Serie A, having featured in 30 games during the 2024/25 campaign.

Journalist Guglielmo Trupo has reported on the Belgian’s situation, claiming Tottenham are watching him closely. The London club aren’t the only Premier League side that is monitoring him right now.

More has been relayed by ParmaToday, who note that Keita won 100% of his tackles against Fiorentina on Saturday. He also won 100% of his aerial duels.It’s believed he can dominate midfielder and has an ability to dictate the tempo from deep.

The outlet go onto claim that scouts from Tottenham were present in the stands for the tie, as Parma won 1-0.

Spurs are likely to have been impressed and the Belgium international’s future can lie in England. ParmaToday also believe that interest from Premier League clubs is likely to grow.

Currently, the Italian side are ‘pampering’ him and trying their best to keep him for as long as they can. Mandela Keita is increasingly proving that he is ready for a big move, and Premier League money would make all the difference.

Inter Milan have been urged to immediately move to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur, by Walter Zenga.

The Inter Milan great is full of praise for the Tottenham number one today in an interview with Tuttosport. His comments have been relayed by Calciomercato.

Inter are believed to be on the hunt for a new, long-term number one in the coming months. The role is currently occupied by Yann Sommer but he’s now 37-years-old and will need to be replaced at some point.

Vicario has quickly been named as the priority option in that hunt. Numerous reports over the last few months have indicated that they’re planning a move in the coming months.

Indeed, the last of those reports this month made it clear that Vicario is determined to leave Tottenham in the near future. That desire is fuelling Inter’s desire and, crucially, opening the door to a potential deal.

Tottenham player lives for football

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but Zenga emphatically believes pushing for the Tottenham goalkeeper is a no-brainer. He coached Vicario early on in his career at Venezia and remains a big fan of him to this day.

“If you ask me about Vicario at Inter, you’re preaching to the choir,” he said.

“I have no doubts and I immediately say yes. We’re talking about a really strong goalkeeper and a decent guy. I would particularly like to see him between the posts for Inter, but the names of Caprile and Carnesecchi would also be equally valid.

“Vic has a great quality: he lives for football and doesn’t use football to live. That’s not insignificant these days, believe me. He has always remained the same guy he was at the beginning: money and success haven’t changed him at all.

“That’s a quality of no small importance. He’s a strong, complete goalkeeper: explosive between the posts. If I played him back then, there must be a reason (laughs).”

Two months ago, Fabio Paratici started his second spell at Tottenham Hotspur as their director of football. He now wants to leave the Premier League side to join Fiorentina.

Ten days ago, claims from Italy stated the 53-year-old has given his approval to the Serie A side. Spurs’ approval is still needed for La Viola to appoint him as their head of football.

Earlier this week, La Nazione reported he wants to terminate his contract at Tottenham to join the Italian club. They also indicated developments should be expected this week with regards to his exit.

Firenze Viola report it’ll ‘take more time’ for the Tottenham man to arrive at Fiorentina.

It’s claimed Paratici is currently in London, where he’s in ongoing negotiations with the Premier League side to terminate his contract. The outlet states it’ll take a few more days and could possibly be delayed further because of Tottenham’s tight schedule.

The report explains that if an agreement isn’t reached before January 4th, ‘everything will be postponed until [January] 10th’.

There’s expectation for Paratici to work on Fiorentina’s transfer business in the winter market. It would be much easier if he can find an agreement with Spurs to secure an exit.

Sources close to Fiorentina had expected the move to be completed last week, even before Christmas. The precise reason for delay hasn’t been made clear.

OGC Nice have identified Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies as a target for the winter market.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who report the Ligue 1 side have explored the possibility of signing the 32-year-old.

Earlier this month, Davies came off the bench in Tottenham’s Champions League win over SK Slavia Prague. It was his first appearance of this season and since then, he played 32 minutes in Spurs’ defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Wales international will soon enter his final six months of contract. This, coupled with Thomas Frank not utilising him, can help the French club to try and sign him in January.

Nice are 13th in the table, six points above the relegation zone, and appointed Claude Puel as their new manager.

Puel will be without Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Moïse Bombito due to injuries.

The Tottenham player can operate both as a centre-back and a left-back. His versatility and experience would improve their defence. However, L’Equipe report the operation is ‘far from straightforward’ for Nice for two main reasons.

The newspaper say he’s ‘enjoying a comfortable salary’ at Tottenham. This indicates Nice won’t be able to match his current salary. Davies, who will turn 33 years of age next April, is said to be demanding a long-term contract. This is the second reason.

Nice, therefore, are likely to look at other options to improve their defence in January.

Said El Mala’s agent is in contact with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur about a transfer in future.

That’s according to SportBILD, who say the Koln winger needs convincing about a move at this point in his career.

They explain that El Mala is Cologne’s stand out player this season, with six goals and three assists despite only six starts this season.

That’s been earning him plenty of attention and a growing transfer value, which has risen from €3m to €40m in just a few months. He, though, isn’t interested in a move at this moment in time according to agent, Martin Carmona.

“Saïd feels completely at home in Cologne,” he said.

“Right now, his only focus is on immediately ending the negative trend of the past few weeks in the new year and stabilizing the team. A transfer is not on the cards for Saïd at the moment.”

That, though, hasn’t stopped clubs trying. SportBILD state that Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have so far failed to attract the left winger. They’re all still closely monitoring the rising star.

The player, for his part, is adamant that he doesn’t want a move. In fact, he only wants to consider it once he becomes an undisputed key player at his current club. That hasn’t happened yet.

He’d only consider a sale if Köln were to pursue it and talks become concrete. So far, there’s been no such indication from the German side. That’s not stopped his agency from being in contact with the interested parties, though.

That group includes Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham despite the cold shoulder from the winger so far.

Last week, FirenzeViola were growing in confidence about signing Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin.

The struggling Serie A side made advances for the Romanian last month but they were rejected. Fabio Paratici’s arrival in Florence was viewed as an important turning point in their chase of the defender.

That optimism is now fading away. La Nazione – relayed by LabaroViola, report that despite Paratici’s incoming arrival, a deal for Dragusin is getting complex.

That is why Fiorentina are now more interested in Brighton defender Diego Coppola, who has struggled for game time.

More information about Dragusin is offered by Il Messaggero, who speak of Roma’s interest in the centre-back.

The newspaper claim that Tottenham are proving to be a tough nut to crack. This is because they don’t want to loan Dragusin out and would only want a permanent transfer. This doesn’t sit right with the Giallorossi, who are seeking a low-cost loan.

The 23-year-old has quite a big market in Italy, with Juventus also linked. Dragusin’s own agent has also flirted with Inter Milan.

Indeed, the agent has been talking up a return to Serie A since just after the defender arrived. That was on the basis of a huge transfer, though, and things haven’t quite worked out that way.

Last month, Correio da Manhã reported Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are in the lead to sign Samu Aghehowa. They also stated FC Porto president André Villas-Boas is willing to sell him for €80m in the winter market even though he has a €100m release clause.

The striker has starred for the Dragons this season, scoring 18 goals and contributing one assist from 26 matches. His fine displays have seen Tottenham and other clubs take notice.

Recent claims from the UK have reported Tottenham have identified the 21-year-old as a target for January. There was also a mention of a £50m [€57.4m] valuation.

Tuesday’s edition of Sport relays that and provides their own update on this case.

The newspaper found out from their sources that ‘there is nothing concrete’, likely over a move to Spurs. They add an exit from the Primeira Liga side next month is extremely unlikely unless there’s a huge offer.

Aghehowa is happy with his life in Portugal, and his club aren’t considering selling him in January.

They have several reasons for this. The first one is Luuk de Jong’s serious injury, and he’ll be out for rest of the season. The second is the Portuguese club’s current situation.

Porto are leading the table, five points ahead of second placed Sporting. Aghehowa is in contention to win the title with the club, who are also competing for the Europa League.

The Spain international’s aim is to continue impressing for Porto with a hope of making it to the World Cup. Therefore, he isn’t considering changing clubs at least until the end of the season.

Thomas Frank’s side seem to be aware of this and have to wait until next summer to sign the frontman.

Over the past week or so, Fiorentina have been making progress in appointing Tottenham Hotspur’s Fabio Paratici as their new head of football.

On December 22nd, we covered claims from Italy that the Spurs sporting director has said yes to Fiorentina. They have to wait for Tottenham to open their door to conclude the operation.

Two days later, Labaro Viola reported it’s only a matter of time before Tottenham give the green light for Paratici’s exit.

Firenze Viola now report the 53-year-old is ‘increasingly closer’ to joining the Serie A side.

He left Italy and returned to London on Friday and watched Tottenham’s win over Crystal Palace from the stands at Selhurst Park yesterday.

The report state Paratici will move to Fiorentina after terminating his contract with the north London club. This would take another week to resolve even though earlier claims mentioned it’s only a matter of time.

La Nazione, relayed by La Viola, also report the Italian will terminate his contract with the Premier League side.

It’s claimed the Tottenham man isn’t in a rush and wants his exit to be ‘soft, without rift or repercussions’.

Therefore, there won’t be any major developments immediately. According to the report, there could be movements later this weekend.

There’s not only confidence of Paratici’s arrival at Fiorentina, but they expect him to start working from January onwards.

While Paratici’s situation at Tottenham is still to be resolved, he’ll continue talks with La Viola to prepare a strategy for the winter market.