Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move in signing Hugo Lloris' replacement this summer by enquiring for Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs look increasingly likely to have a new No.1 in goal next season, with Lloris facing heavy criticism last season. The Frenchman also enters the final 12 months of his deal in north London. "We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me. It's the end of an era. I have desires for other things," he said in an interview with French media outlet Nice-Matin.
"I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible. But I don't forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen. What is essential at the moment is to recover well from my injury. I'm on vacation but I continue to talk and do my training. My goal is to be on top in July, then we'll see what the future holds for me."
Brentford's David Raya had been a name linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, who also faces the possibility of becoming a free agent this time next year. However, Ange Postecoglou is reportedly considering a move for another goalkeeper.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have approached Serie A side Empoli over the services of Vicario. The 26-year-old has spent his whole career in Italy, playing regularly for Venezia, Perugia and Empoli.
If reports are to be believed, the shot-stopper will cost around €20million (£17m). Despite interest in Vicario, Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili and Raya remain on Postecoglou's summer list.
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Raya recently discussed his future in an interview with The Times, declaring his ambition to make the 'next step' in his career. "I know there are rumours about me leaving," he said. "There are some options for me to go but obviously Brentford are asking for a lot of money.
"That could make clubs not want to buy me, it could make them look somewhere else. But if that's the value they give me then it's up to them. I have a year left on my contract and until then I'm a Brentford player, there's nothing I can do.
"I have ambitions to make the next step in my career. I want to try to win titles and to compete in Europe in the next couple of years. I'm 27 now and I feel like I'm at the point in my career when I want to make that step up. There are options out there but it's not just my ambitions, the club also needs to let me go."
“I’m a professional,” he said. “If I end up staying at Brentford I will always give my all, that’s my job. If I have to stay, I’ll try to have an even better season than last season.”
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