Sky Sports

Juventus have agreed a deal with Tottenham to sign Guglielmo Vicario on an initial season-long loan.

The agreement also includes an £8.5m (€10m) option to buy the Spurs goalkeeper permanently.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

Juventus had previously been targeting Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez but cooled their interest after a £8.5m (€10m) was rejected by the Premier League club.

Villa's valuation and Martinez's ongoing injury issues, including a knock to his finger, then led to Juventus turning their attention to Vicario as talks regarding a return to Italy, after joining Spurs from Empoli in 2023, intensified.

Sky Sports News reported in June that Vicario was expected to leave Spurs, with Antonin Kinsky their first-choice goalkeeper.

Martinez's Villa future in doubt

Sky in Italy reported Villa agreed £29.9m (€35m) deal with Parma to sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who Juventus were also targeting on loan if he completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Suzuki's proposed move to PSG stalled and gave Villa fresh encouragement to move for the Japan World Cup star.

The pursuit of Suzuki now leaves Martinez's future at Villa in doubt. His current deal at the club is set to expire in 2029.

Speaking on August 5, a representative of the player told Sky Sports News that he was happy at Villa and was looking forward to the new season.

The Argentina World Cup-winning goalkeeper has never asked to leave Villa Park, even amid interest from Manchester United last summer and Juventus and Inter Milan this summer, according to Gustavo Goñi of agency Universal TwentyTwo.

Martinez will only leave with the blessing of Villa and if a deal suits all parties.

Villa appear to be moving on - will Martinez?

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:

"Another transfer window, another saga involving Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper looked certain to leave last summer amid interest from Manchester United but that move failed to materialise.

"He remained at Villa Park and his legacy at the club continued to build. The two-time Yashin Trophy winner and 2022 World Cup winner played through an ongoing finger injury to help win the Europa League and continued to perform at the highest level in the top flight.

"Only Gianluigi Donnarumma and Mats Selz had higher save percentages than Martinez (70.7 per cent) last season and while there are no doubts about his ability, his future in claret and blue raises an interesting question.

"When links to an exit emerged last summer, the succession plan looked unclear. Marco Bizot arrived and performed well as an understudy but after agreeing a £29.9m deal to sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, it points to a club pulling the trigger on the heir to Martinez's throne between the sticks.

"It is hard to imagine a goalkeeper of his quality operating without the certainty of being first choice. It is equally as difficult to imagine a club parting ways with just under £30m, as well as beating off competition from PSG and Juventus, to sign Suzuki without first-team opportunities readily available.

"Villa have navigated a summer of change in the transfer window and replacing Martinez is arguably the greatest task of them all. For six years, he has been a reliable and often heroic option for the club to lean on in goal.

"The key question that needs answering is Villa appear to have moved on - but will Martinez follow suit with a move to Juventus now off the cards given their pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario?"

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have already seen Roberto De Zerbi keep their team in the Premier League. They have noted his passion, warmed to his enthusiasm. But De Zerbi ball had to wait. Now, Spurs must be ready to embrace the real thing.

It starts from the back. And the most obvious conduit to help his ideas take shape is Jan Paul van Hecke. The Dutchman has been brought in for £52m from Brighton not just because of his talent but because he is already au fait with De Zerbi's unique approach.

That matters because the full-fat version of his football can be complicated, even for professionals. Lewis Dunk, the erstwhile centre-back partner of Van Hecke at Brighton, has been open about feeling utterly lost during the first weeks of De Zerbi's time there.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Spurs fixtures & scores | FREE Spurs highlights▶️

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

Having spoken about this to Anatoliy Trubin, De Zerbi's goalkeeper at Shakhtar Donetsk, he talked of his team-mates almost having to unlearn all that they had learned about football up to that point. "He opened a new way of playing," Trubin told Sky Sports.

James Milner thought he had seen everything football could throw at him, having been coached by Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson as a youngster before winning the Premier League under Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp. But De Zerbi was different.

Speaking to Milner, he talked of De Zerbi helping him to understand "how a team plays and why it happens" like no manager that he had worked with before. "He wanted each player in this exact position and to time their movements," Milner told Sky Sports.

"Finding that free man and how you do that is something that you have maybe done a lot in your career but not realised you were doing it. And then, [working with De Zerbi] pieces together exactly how that works and gives you a deeper understanding again."

It will have been a hectic pre-season for his players, particularly those expected to build the play. Because what might look like free-flowing football from back to front is the product of prescribed movements developed through constant repetition in training.

The rules can be strict. "I remember one situation, I played a good ball, but it was not the way how we need to do it and he screamed a lot," recalls Trubin. "So he demands, he wants, that everyone knows their role, how we need to play, one idea from the team."

It is not just the right movements but the right timing of them. As Dunk has explained, the Brighton players knew every scenario, where the pressure would be arriving from, and how to create the passing lanes that would open up the pitch to beat that pressure.

All of which is a long-winded way of pointing out why Van Hecke, now 26 years old and with over 100 Premier League appearances to his name, is more than just a fine player in his prime. He is an essential figure if De Zerbi is to get his ideas across quickly this season.

Adjusting to this bravery that is required on the ball is not straightforward but that is among Van Hecke's best assets. In last season's Premier League, he ranked second for passes from open play and second for accurate switches of play. Volume and range.

His progressive passing, playing through the pitch as well across it, is much admired by De Zerbi, who has praised the balance between arrogance and confidence in Van Hecke's distribution. He is not afraid to play the difficult pass that breaks the lines.

"He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality," said De Zerbi upon his signing. "Those are important qualities for the way I want our team to set up." But it is how he gets into those positions that is interesting.

There is an aspect of Van Hecke's game that makes him truly unique, even among the elite players in the Premier League. Indeed, in terms of output, he is even more of a statistical outlier than Erling Haaland. And it all comes down to one particular metric.

Van Hecke is a ball carrier. And not just by the standards of centre-backs. Van Hecke carried the ball up the pitch on 597 different occasions in the Premier League last season. His nearest rivals in the competition were Declan Rice, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku.

Now, when it comes to those carries that were pressured by an opponent, Doku was just ahead of Van Hecke. Understandably so. Teams are more likely to allow a defender to bring the ball up the pitch than a winger playing in a far more advanced position.

But this only highlights the gulf between Van Hecke and every other defender in the Premier League even more. He had 315 pressured carries, which was 133 more than any other centre-back in the competition. He simply does it differently to the rest.

The upshot is that Van Hecke carried the ball 10.66 kilometres with the ball at his feet over the course of last season. That is over four kilometres more than anyone else and twice as far as everyone bar the England defensive duo of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.

Supporters will notice the difference. With Marcos Senesi similarly forward thinking with his passing, and Van Hecke committing opponents like nobody else, a team is being constructed that can play through the thirds. After saving Spurs, De Zerbi ball is back.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Inter Milan have completed a £30m deal for England defender Djed Spence from Tottenham.

Sky Sports News understands the agreement includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

The full-back was given permission to travel to Italy on Friday for a medical as negotiations between the two clubs continued. A deal for a total package of £30m has now been reached.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

Spence was a star of England's third-place finish at this summer's World Cup but was likely to find his opportunities limited at Spurs in the coming season, with Pedro Porro the first-choice right-back and Destiny Udogie, Andy Robertson, Souza and Ben Davies all able to play left-back.

Inter have been looking for a new option at right-wing-back and turned their attention to Spence after struggling to strike a deal for Al Ittihad's Moussa Diaby.

Spence had three years left on his contract at Spurs, with an option for a further year, but was keen on the move after enjoying a six-month loan spell with Genoa in Italy from January 2024.

Spurs signed Spence from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £20m in July 2022.

The defender took to X to pen a farewell to the club, writing: "A special chapter comes to an end.

"It's been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I'll carry with me for forever, especially that night in Bilbao.

"Thanks to all the staff members who've helped me along the way, the players who've become family and most importantly thank you to the fans.

"It's time for a new chapter, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart. COYS!!"

Spurs already eyeing Spence replacements

Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam:

"Spence is a player Spurs fans will say they have seen his brilliance in flashes. You saw his brilliance at the World Cup with England.

"They may also think it is frustrating. They paid £12.5m for him from Middlesbrough in 2022, a deal that Daniel Levy did. They are getting more than two times what they paid for him.

"But they will also say it doesn't feel like a lot of money for a player who could be so important. Spurs have been preparing for this, though, and already have potential replacements in mind."

Mikey Moore scored twice in Tottenham’s 3-0 home pre-season home win over Hoffenheim.

The 19-year-old's second-half goals were both set up by Mathys Tel after Richarlison hit a first-half opener from Andy Robertson's cross.

Four new summer signings - Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Sensi - all made their home debuts in the win, which keeps Spurs unbeaten in pre-season.

As it happened | Teams | Stats

Spurs news & transfers⚪ | Spurs fixtures | FREE Spurs highlights▶️

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

But there were some notable absentees from the victory, including Micky van de Ven, James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs fans will be hoping some of the missing players will play a part in Sunday's final pre-season game against the same opponents in a behind-closed-doors game at the club's training ground.

Roberto De Zerbi's side then open their Premier League campaign at Brentford next Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Here, Sky Sports assesses Spurs' pre-season win over Hoffenheim in their first home game since avoiding relegation in May…

Moore and Bergvall shine amid uncertain futures

Two players who were linked with moves away from Spurs delivered good performances in the win.

Moore was on the cusp of a loan move to Bundesliga side Cologne last week, but with that now on hold the teenager has given De Zerbi plenty to ponder with his two-goal display.

The 19-year-old produced a muted celebration for his first, as he tapped in Tel's cross, but he showed his delight for his second as he deftly finished off Tel's pass.

The Spurs academy graduate's destination for the new season is still undecided.

Meanwhile, Lucas Bergvall looked like he might be leaving Tottenham two months ago.

Newcastle and Nottingham Forest were interested in the midfielder, and it remains to be seen whether he will be at the club after deadline day.

De Zerbi insists he wants to keep the midfielder after addressing the player's concerns over lack of game time

The Sweden international has been playing regularly in pre-season, and his display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday would have encouraged his head coach.

Michael Bridge

Robertson impresses with fine assist

Andy Robertson left Liverpool because he wanted more game time - and on this evidence he will be getting it.

The Scotland international was superb on Spurs' left side in the win as he delivered cross after cross, with a pinpoint delivery for Richarlison's opener.

The 32-year-old's arrival was seen as a great move for the Spurs dressing room, as he brought a wealth of winning experience, but against Hoffenheim he showed his on-field quality.

With fellow left-back Destiny Udogie still yet to play in pre-season and concerns around the Italy international's fitness, Robertson has taken advantage of his absence.

The ex-Liverpool defender looks nailed on to start at Brentford next Saturday for Spurs' Premier League opener - and on this form, Udogie could well find it tough to oust the man nine years his senior.

Declan Olley

Kinsky proves his No 1 status

Spurs' clean sheet in the win was largely thanks to Antonin Kinsky.

The Tottenham goalkeeper made several saves to keep Hoffenheim at bay, thus proving his new number one status.

Kinsky also dealt adeptly with crosses and was good with the ball at his feet, showing why he will be a great fit for De Zerbi's system.

It is some turnaround for the 23-year-old since his horror show in Madrid seven months ago, and he has deservedly taken the spot of Guglielmo Vicario, who was not involved on Saturday with Juventus eyeing a move for the Italy international.

Declan Olley

Spurs' pre-season results

July 22: Tottenham 1-0 MK Dons - Spurs training ground

July 26: Tottenham 2-0 Auckland FC

July 29: Tottenham 1-1 Sydney FC (4-2 on pens) - Sydney

August 1: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea - Sydney

August 8: Tottenham 1-1 Getafe - Spurs training ground (behind closed doors - 70-minute game)

August 15: Tottenham 3-0 Hoffenheim - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

August 16: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim - Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 12pm

What comes next?

Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Back to Home

This content is provided by , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies for this session only.

Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Back to Home

This content is provided by , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies for this session only.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has completed his £34.2m move to Atletico Madrid.

Spurs retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal that has seen him pen a five-year deal.

Atletico have been long-term admirers of the Argentina international, and there was an expectation that Spurs would allow Romero to depart this summer if the right offer arrived.

The central defender was always believed to have preferred a move to Atletico, withInter Milan and Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal among the other clubs to have been interested.

Romero's Spurs deal was due to run until the summer of 2029.

The 28-year-old was sent off twice last season during Spurs' Premier League relegation battle. He then missed the end of the campaign due to a knee injury.

Romero received criticism from supporters when he appeared to be set to watch his boyhood club Belgrano play River Plate in the Argentina Primera Division Apertura final instead of being at Tottenham's crucial last game against Everton. However, he did ultimately attend the game.

In a post on Instagram, Romero bid farewell to the fans on Friday and said he had achieved his dream of leaving his name in the club's history as the captain of the side that ended Spurs' 17-year trophy drought.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

"Today, I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club. It was my home, my challenge and the place where my family and I built such an important part of our lives.

"I leave with a heart full of memories and enormous pride for everything we lived and achieved together.

"When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club's history. I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.

"The journey wasn't perfect, but I don't want that to define my goodbye. I choose to remember the happy moments, the lessons, the people who stood by me and, above all, the love I received during these five years.

"Thank you to everyone at the club who shared this journey with me. Coaches, team-mates, staff and every person working behind the scenes you are all part of my story and have a place in my heart."

Will Spurs fans miss Romero?

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge:

"No.

"Even announcing the move before the club have announced it, it's Romero.

"On his day he was one of the best centre-backs in the world but those days came against Ecuador, Peru on international duty.

"There's nothing wrong with being proud to play for your nation but there was too many times it was a chore playing for Spurs.

"He posted a few public comments about the board, which you can't do. He was a key part of winning the Europa League but there was that final day saga about whether will he or won't he watch his team try to avoid relegation.

"The time was right for him to move."