Juventus turn to Vicario as Martinez deal falls apart

Juventus have a clear vacancy between the sticks after their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez collapsed, leaving the Old Lady desperate for a proven Premier League goalkeeper. The Italian giants therefore turned to Tottenham’s Italy international Guglielmo Vicario as a swift solution.

Goalkeeper vacancy after Martinez collapse

Juventus withdrew their interest in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez after the Argentine keeper’s broken finger, sustained in the warm‑up to Villa’s Europa League final, raised medical concerns. Villa had demanded a flat £8.5 million fee, while Juventus had initially offered £6 million plus £2.5 million in add‑ons, prompting the club to abandon the bid. Martinez, the 2022 World Cup winner, had told Villa in June he wanted to join the two‑time Champions League winners, but the injury forced Juventus to reconsider. The failed transfer left Juventus without a clear successor to the departing number one, intensifying the need for an immediate replacement.

Vicario’s Tottenham situation opens door

Guglielmo Vicario, 29, lost his starting spot at Tottenham after undergoing hernia surgery in March, allowing Czech international Antonin Kinsky to take over. Kinsky started the final seven Premier League matches, and despite Vicario’s fitness for the last two games as Spurs fought relegation, manager Roberto De Zerbi kept Kinsky in goal. Vicario had arrived from Empoli in 2023, and the reduced playing time made him available for a move away from north London this window. Consequently, Juventus saw an opportunity to fill the vacancy.

Earlier in the window Vicario had been linked with a move to Serie A champions Inter Milan after agreeing personal terms. Inter ultimately signed Ivan Provedel from Lazio, freeing Juventus to pursue Vicario without competition.

Inter count on Calha's return as Serie A restarts on Saturday

Juventus finalises loan with buy option

Juventus accelerated the deal, agreeing a loan with an option to buy Vicario from Tottenham, a bid reportedly worth around £8.5 million that Tottenham have accepted. A Getty photo released by Juventus shows Vicario in the club’s training gear. The arrangement gives the Old Lady a short‑term solution while retaining the possibility of a permanent signing.

Vicario has been regarded as a viable option for Juventus in their quest to secure a new number one between the sticks. Juve see the Italian international’s Premier League experience as a low‑risk reinforcement ahead of the Serie A campaign.

The loan includes a buy‑option clause, meaning Juventus must decide on a permanent transfer before the loan expires. Any lingering fitness concerns or competition for the starting spot could influence the final decision.

Emiliano Martinez remains at Aston Villa, where he recently disclosed playing through pain after a broken finger during the World Cup and said he avoided surgery. He said: “It still hurts every day, I knew it was going to hurt a lot. I avoided surgery.” Villa, managed by Unai Emery, are reportedly close to signing Parma forward Zion Suzuki as a potential replacement. Martinez’s future at Villa Park therefore remains uncertain.