Juventus Set Sights on Vicario After Alisson Setback

Juventus are reportedly shifting their focus to Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after encountering difficulties in their attempts to sign Liverpool's Alisson Becker. The Serie A giants are in the market for a new number one and have identified the Italian shot-stopper as a primary target.

Context: Goalkeeping Situation at Juventus

Juventus have been searching for a long-term successor to Wojciech Szczesny, who departed the club in 2024. Current options include Mattia Perin and Carlo Pinsoglio, but neither has established themselves as an undisputed starter. The club hierarchy views a top-class goalkeeper as essential to their rebuilding project under manager Thiago Motta, who favours a possession-based system requiring a sweeper-keeper comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Alisson, 32, was Juventus's first-choice target, but Liverpool's reluctance to sell and the Brazilian's high wages have complicated negotiations. Reports suggest the Reds value Alisson at over €50 million, a fee Juventus are unwilling to meet given their financial constraints and need to comply with Serie A's salary cap regulations. This has prompted the Bianconeri to explore alternative options.

Vicario, 28, joined Tottenham from Empoli in 2023 for an initial €18 million and has impressed during his time in North London. Known for his reflexes, distribution, and command of the penalty area, he fits the profile of a modern goalkeeper. In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Vicario kept 10 clean sheets and recorded a save percentage of 75.4%, ranking among the top shot-stoppers in the division. However, Tottenham's inconsistent form has seen them finish mid-table, and the club may be open to a significant offer given their own squad rebuilding plans under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Impact: What This Means for Tottenham and Juventus

If Vicario were to depart, Tottenham would need to find a replacement goalkeeper capable of slotting into Postecoglou's high-line, possession-dominant system. The Australian manager values a goalkeeper who can sweep behind the defence and distribute accurately under pressure. Spurs have been linked with Sunderland's Anthony Patterson and Fenerbahçe's Dominik Livakovic, but neither has Vicario's Premier League experience.

For Juventus, signing Vicario would provide a reliable, Serie A-proven option without breaking the bank. His familiarity with Italian football from his time at Empoli and previous spells with Perugia and Venezia means he would require minimal adaptation time. Juve's defensive record last season was solid—conceding just 38 goals in 38 league games—but their build-up play from the back often looked nervy. Vicario's composure on the ball could help alleviate that issue.

  • Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Impact: Vicario is currently priced at £5.0m in FPL and owned by only 8.2% of managers. A move to Juventus would remove him from the Premier League, making him irrelevant for FPL purposes. Potential Spurs replacements like Guglielmo's understudy, Fraser Forster, would not offer the same value.
  • Title Race/Relegation Implications: Tottenham are not in the title race but are competing for European places. Losing Vicario could derail their push for a top-six finish, while Juventus are targeting a Scudetto challenge after finishing third last season. A new goalkeeper could be a decisive factor.
  • Historical Precedent: This situation mirrors when Juventus signed Wojciech Szczesny from Arsenal in 2017 after a failed move for Gianluigi Donnarumma. That transfer proved successful, with Szczesny going on to win multiple Serie A titles. Vicario could follow a similar path.

What's Next: The Transfer Window Ahead

Juventus are expected to formalise their interest with a bid in the region of €25-30 million, a sum Tottenham may find hard to turn down for a player who cost them just €18 million two years ago. However, Spurs could hold out for a higher fee given Vicario's age and contract length (three years remaining). The outcome likely hinges on whether Juventus can offload surplus players to free up funds. A resolution is anticipated before the start of pre-season in July.

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