Juventus Secure Guglielmo Vicario Loan Deal from Tottenham as Emiliano Martinez Pursuit Ends

Juventus have reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to bring goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario back to Italy on a loan deal that includes an option to buy. This move comes after the Turin club ended their pursuit of Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

Shift from Martinez to Vicario

The Serie A giants had spent weeks negotiating with Aston Villa over Martinez but dropped interest when the English club insisted on a €15 million (£12.8m) price tag. Instead, Juventus turned their attention to Vicario, who spent three years in England before moving back to his homeland.

Reports from The Athletic confirm that the deal with Tottenham was completed on Monday, marking the 29-year-old goalkeeper's return to Italian football since his departure in 2023.

Financial Terms and Loan Details

Tuttosport states the agreement is a loan featuring a non-binding €10.5 million (£9m) purchase option. This setup allows Juventus to assess Vicario’s performance throughout the season without an immediate full commitment, providing a more budget-friendly alternative compared to their earlier target, Martinez.

From Tottenham's perspective, the transfer aligns with manager Roberto De Zerbi’s strategy, as he has already chosen Antonin Kinsky as his first-choice keeper. Vicario’s time at Spurs was mixed; he faced some errors and eventually lost his starting spot due to hernia surgery in March.

Impact on Juventus Goalkeeper Line-Up

Vicario arrives at one of Italy’s top clubs after a challenging stint in the Premier League. He initially joined Spurs from Empoli for around €20 million and had been seen as Hugo Lloris’s successor.

This signing will shake up Juventus’ goalkeeping situation. With Vicario expected to become the starter, the future of current goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio appears uncertain. According to Fabrizio Romano, Di Gregorio has been offered on loan to Marseille and other European teams.

Vicario Fits Spalletti’s Tactical Vision

Coach Luciano Spalletti wanted a goalkeeper skilled in playing out from the back, something Vicario showed during his early days at Tottenham. Although his form slipped toward the end of last season, Juventus staff believe a return to Serie A tactics will help him regain his best form.

This signing is part of a wider summer rebuild for the Old Lady. After recently acquiring Jhon Lucumi from Bologna, adding Vicario strengthens a defense undergoing significant changes as he integrates into Spalletti’s system.