Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been backed as the most convincing option for Juventus among their expanding list of targets.
The Serie A side are still trying to resolve their goalkeeper situation ahead of the new season. Michele Di Gregorio is expected to leave, while Juventus continue assessing possible replacements.
Fabio Riva, a journalist for La Stampa, discussed the situation during an appearance on Radio Bianconera. And he believes the Tottenham player offers more than some of the other names currently being considered in Turin.
Juventus facing Di Gregorio problem
Guglielmo Vicario remains on Juventus’ list, but the club first need to deal with Di Gregorio’s uncertain future.
Riva explained that Juventus sporting director Giovanni Carnevali had already made the goalkeeper’s expected departure clear during his first public appearance.
However, recent comments from the former Monza player’s agent have made the situation more difficult.
“It is quite a complicated situation,” Riva said. “A series of events have come together which, inevitably, have made the management of the case really difficult for [Juve CEO, Giovanni] Carnevali.”
“The facts tell us that, as things stand, Juventus have a first-choice goalkeeper they need to sell, even more so after what happened a few weeks ago with his agent.”
“Beyond the usual dynamics of negotiations, where everyone looks after their own interests, complications have also emerged concerning the balance within the group.”
“Di Gregorio is also coming off a negative season, so he is not attractive on the market.”
Juventus therefore face two connected problems. They need to find a buyer for Di Gregorio and secure a suitable replacement. That has proved difficult despite several high-profile names being discussed.
Riva would choose Vicario
Guglielmo Vicario is being considered alongside Alisson, Emiliano Martínez, Mile Svilar and Zion Suzuki.
Riva explained that Juventus initially looked at leading options such as Liverpool’s Alisson and Roma’s Svilar. The Alisson route has already collapsed, while the move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Martínez has also become increasingly difficult.
“There is then the difficulty of signing a top-level player to replace him,” Riva said. “After what happened with Alisson, the Martínez route has now also become decidedly uphill.”
“The goalkeeper position is a real headache. That is also shown by the fact Carnevali has many names and very different players on his list.”
“Initially, there were top-level profiles such as Alisson and Svilar. Then Martínez arrived, with Vicario and Suzuki also added to the list.”
Among those options, Riva would favour the Tottenham goalkeeper.
“Of all of them, I think Vicario is a much more interesting profile than he may appear,” he said.
“He is coming off a bad season, but before that he had done extremely well. He has personality and charisma, so I would back him.”
Riva also believes a loan would be Juventus’ preferred formula because of the financial restrictions currently affecting the club.
“The ideal solution would still be to take him on loan, because there are certain financial limits which simply have to be respected,” he said.
That desire creates an obvious issue for Juventus. Recent reports in Italy have indicated Tottenham want a permanent sale rather than a temporary departure.
Riva’s comments nevertheless show Vicario continues to have strong support in Italy. Juventus’ challenge is turning that admiration into an agreement which also works for Tottenham.