For months, Tottenham Hotspur have been contemplating the sale of Guglielmo Vicario, who has significant interest from top Serie A clubs, namely Inter Milan. At this point, Vicario is fully expected to leave Spurs this summer as Inter's replacement for Yann Sommer, who used to be one of the absolute best keepers in the world but has declined a bit this season.
Now, Vicario is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, which is why Spurs want to go younger and better in goal than the Italian international. But recent information on a hernia requiring surgery over the March international break has called into question whether or not Tottenham are being unduly harsh on Vic.
That being said, he has made way too many mistakes this season, and even his shot stopping has deteroriated. A change in scenery back to his home country and a league he performed better in may be best for all parties, so, now, Spurs have to be on the trail for that replacement who is actually measurably better.
Tottenham are watching Noah Atubolu
Within England, Manchster City backup James Trafford is the dream, but it is doubtful Pep Guardiola would sell him. A new name has surfaced on Spurs radar from Germany in Noah Atubolu, as the Daily Mail's Simon Jones reports that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the young goalkeeping sensation flatteringly compared to Manuel Neuer.
Obviously, any comp to Neuer, one of the literal GOATs of goalkeeping, is hyperbolic bordering on outright unfair, but Atubolu has been incredible for Freiburg since becoming the No. 1 guy. Atubolu is a big goalkeeper with a sweeper style and an outrageous penalty saving record, and despite being a goalie, he is legitimately one of the most exciting players in the Bundesliga.
Just 23 years old, Atubolu is highly exciting and raved about by fans, but the numbers are not quite as impressive. His save percentage of around 63 is pretty poor this season, and he's never had a save percentage of 70 in a single season.
Atubolu is really raw, and whlie he is immensely talented with the upside to become the next great German goalkeeper (alongside Bayern Munich's even more talented Jonas Urbig), he could also become a massive bust in the Premier League and a downgrade on Vicario. He may actually be, then, more of a replacement for Antonin Kinsky, who will go out on loan. Still, Spurs need to be smart with scouting and find young keepers with upside, and Atubolu is one of the few young keepers with the talent worth watching and an actual shot at wanting to join a struggling Spurs.