Vicario Desperate for Juventus Switch as Spurs Slide Sparks Keeper Mutiny

When a goalkeeper admits he’s mentally spent, you listen. Word from Italy is that Guglielmo Vicario is “drained” by his Tottenham stint and itching for a return to Serie A — and on this evidence, you can hardly blame him. Spurs are one point above the relegation zone, winless in 11, and the relationship between the Italian No 1 and caretaker boss Igor Tudor looks frostier than a January night at the Lane.

Tudor vs Vicario: a short fuse and a longer problem

Before Thursday’s defeat to Crystal Palace there were whispers Tudor would drop Vicario for the first time in the league. He kept his place, but the mood music hasn’t improved. Sources in Italy describe a “less than idyllic” rapport between the pair, and you can see why. Tudor has already been visibly irked — not least when Vicario shanked a free-kick straight into touch against Fulham last weekend. It’s all a bit Sunday League for a club of Tottenham’s size.

Why Juventus are calling — and the Spalletti factor

According to Tuttosport, Vicario has set his heart on Juventus this summer. He trusts Luciano Spalletti — the coach who elevated him to Italy’s No 1 ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma — and believes a reset back home will restore his best form. Talks aren’t advanced, but initial contact is said to have been made and, crucially, Tottenham are thought to be open to a sale at around €20m (£17.3m). Wages wouldn’t scare Juve either. On paper, everyone gets what they want.

From “exceptional” to expendable — the cold reality

Thomas Frank labelled Vicario “exceptional” earlier in the campaign, but the season has dragged both player and club into a rut. The underlying gripes haven’t gone away: his penalty record remains poor — five saves from 43 faced — and his decision-making under pressure has been questioned. Fair? Maybe a touch harsh, but the Premier League is unforgiving, and right now Spurs need certainty more than sentiment.

Time to part ways

Whether Tottenham limp over the line in the top flight or tumble into the Championship, a clean break suits all concerned. Vicario wants Serie A, Spurs need a reset between the sticks, and €20m feels like a pragmatic compromise in a difficult market. Sometimes the bravest call is admitting it hasn’t quite worked and moving on.

Who replaces him at Spurs?

The rumour mill points to James Trafford as the standout target: a modern keeper with distribution to suit a side that insist on building from the back. Dean Henderson would offer plug-and-play reliability, while highly rated prospect Robin Risser is one for the long haul. Trafford ticks the most boxes — long-term upside, homegrown, comfortable with the ball — but any incoming must bring command of the area and a big personality. This crowd won’t tolerate more nerves.

Spurs are teetering, the fanbase is restless, and the margins are wafer-thin. If you’re weighing up form and futures, our guide to the best betting sites is a handy compass as the summer merry-go-round begins.

The bottom line

It’s harsh to hang Tottenham’s plight solely on Vicario, but the goalkeeper is often the lightning rod when a side loses its way. With Juventus circling and an uneasy truce with Tudor, this feels like the end of the road. One Spurs star, it seems, is already packing his bags — and few around N17 will be shocked when the taxi pulls up.