Transfer Centre

Guglielmo Vicario 'to undergo Tottenham medical on Monday'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 26 June 2023

Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is reportedly set to complete his Tottenham Hotspur medical on Monday ahead of a £17.2m switch to North London.

Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is reportedly set to complete his Tottenham Hotspur medical on Monday ahead of his permanent move to North London.

Spurs are understood to have agreed a fee of €20m (£17.2m) for the Italian shot-stopper, who is poised to sign a long-term deal with Ange Postecoglou's side.

Tottenham turned their attention to Vicario after being priced out of a move for Brentford's David Raya, whose £40m price tag deterred the North London giants.

Despite links with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Dean Henderson, Tottenham moved quickly to strike a deal with Empoli for Vicario, who is set to become their second signing of the window.

According to the Evening Standard, Vicario will undergo his medical with Tottenham on Monday after the 26-year-old touched down in the English capital on Sunday to complete his move.

Empoli's Guglielmo Vicario celebrates on August 28, 2021 © Reuters

The former Udinese youngster will depart Empoli after keeping 14 clean sheets in 71 matches, helping the Serie A side achieve survival in each of the past two top-flight campaigns.

Vicario originally joined Empoli on loan from Cagliari in 2021 before making his move permanent last summer, and he ended the 2022-23 season with seven shut-outs in 31 Serie A affairs.

The 6ft 4in goalkeeper's feats attracted the attention of Italy manager Roberto Mancini, who called him up to the Azzurri squad for the first time in September's Nations League fixtures with England and Hungary.

Vicario was also named on the bench for the recent UEFA Nations League finals - where Italy won the bronze medal - but he is still waiting for his first cap for the national team.

The Empoli man will arrive as a long-term successor to Hugo Lloris, who could be on the move this summer before his contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Hugo Lloris in action for Tottenham Hotspur on April 23, 2023 © Reuters

The Frenchman suffered from a noticeable decline in performances last season, making four errors leading to a goal in the Premier League, more than any other player in the top flight.

Lloris has confirmed that he would be open to leaving Tottenham this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia, while a return to boyhood club Nice also appeals to the 36-year-old.

Tottenham have already secured one permanent signing this summer in the form of Dejan Kulusevski, who has signed a five-year deal following a productive 18-month loan spell.

Postecoglou is also after reinforcements in defence, and Spurs are believed to be in talks with Barcelona over a permanent deal for Clement Lenglet, who spent the 2022-23 season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven have been touted as alternative defensive targets for Tottenham, who are also on the lookout for creative players amid links with West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen and Leicester City duo James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.