Juventus Changes Target: Vicari Arrives on Loan Instead of Martinez
The Italian giants have agreed a deal to bring Guglielmo Vicari from Tottenham on loan with an option to buy, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian giants have agreed a deal to bring Guglielmo Vicari from Tottenham on loan with an option to buy, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Juventus has broken off negotiations with Aston Villa over the transfer of Emiliano Martinez and turned to an alternative solution, agreeing a deal to bring Guglielmo Vicari from Tottenham. The news was confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano with his signature 'here we go', and was reported by N1 BiH and Tportal Vijesti.
Vicari is expected to arrive in Turin on a one-year loan with a non-mandatory option to buy. The London club has accepted the offer, and the 29-year-old Italian international has expressed a desire to return to his homeland, with the departure from Tottenham expected to be finalized during the day.
The Argentine goalkeeper, a 2022 World Cup winner, was the Turin club's top priority, but negotiations stalled over the transfer fee. Aston Villa was asking for around 10 million euros, while Juventus's latest offer was below that amount.
Additional concern for Juventus was the finger injury Martinez played with during the World Cup. Although the gap in financial demands did not seem dramatic, the club ultimately decided to walk away from the 33-year-old and activate their backup plan.
The choice fell on Vicari, who has long harbored a desire to return to Serie A. He joined Tottenham from Empoli in 2023 and quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, but the previous season brought numerous challenges.
After hernia surgery, Antonín Kinský took his place between the posts, and then-manager Roberto De Zerbi kept the Czech goalkeeper in the starting lineup even after Vicari's recovery. The Italian had previously been close to a move to Inter, but that deal never materialized.
Juventus has now capitalized on his unfavorable situation in London and secured a significantly more favorable arrangement, a loan after which they will assess whether a permanent transfer is worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa has agreed to bring in Zion Suzuki from Parma for 30 million euros plus bonuses, although Martinez remains their player for now after the collapse of negotiations with Juventus.
The Turin club thus failed to sign the World Cup winner, but did not waste time in seeking a Plan B. Vicari returns to Italy, and the agreement with Tottenham has already been reached.
