Tottenham's Pursuit of Emiliano Martinez Following Vicario's Exit
Tottenham are moving fast in the market again – and this time the focus is on the man between the posts.
With Guglielmo Vicario heading to Juventus, Spurs have turned their attention to Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez as they continue a frantic rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi.
Vicario out, Martinez in their sights
The first domino fell on Monday. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that Juventus had struck a deal to sign Vicario from Tottenham, with Spurs accepting a loan offer including a non-mandatory option to buy. The Italian goalkeeper wanted the move and is leaving north London immediately.
David Ornstein backed up the news, reporting that Tottenham had accepted Juve’s proposal – a loan with an option to buy the 29-year-old next summer – and that all sides expected the transfer to be completed after Juventus abandoned their pursuit of Martinez.
With Vicario gone, Tottenham suddenly have a glaring vacancy in goal, despite the presence of young keeper Antonin Kinsky. According to Football Insider, Spurs have already “made a move” for Villa’s World Cup-winning No.1, whose own proposed switch to Juventus recently collapsed.
De Zerbi’s side are now exploring a deal for the 33-year-old Argentina international as they reshape a squad that only survived relegation on the final day of last season. The message from the board has been clear all summer: that kind of escape cannot happen again.
Aggressive rebuild under De Zerbi
The hunt for Martinez comes on top of a remarkable recruitment drive. Tottenham have already brought in Andy Robertson on a free from Liverpool, Marcos Senesi on a free from Bournemouth, Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m, Martin Dubravka on a free from Burnley, Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for £92.5m.
It is a squad being torn up and rebuilt at speed, with De Zerbi handed serious backing to impose his ideas and avoid another season spent staring down the trapdoor.
A proven, experienced goalkeeper is now the next piece on the board.
Villa open the door for Martinez exit
Aston Villa, for their part, are not slamming it shut. It is understood the Midlands club are open to letting Martinez leave this summer, particularly after securing a deal for Zion Suzuki from Parma.
Football Insider report that Suzuki is expected to step straight into the starting XI for the 2026-27 campaign, a clear sign of how Villa see their long-term goalkeeping hierarchy. That development leaves Martinez in a position where a move across the Premier League now looks increasingly likely.
For Tottenham, that would mean swapping Vicario’s promise for Martinez’s pedigree – a goalkeeper with World Cup-winning experience, steeped in high-pressure moments, fronting a team still trying to rediscover its identity.
De Zerbi digs his heels in over Mikey Moore
The overhaul is not limited to the defensive end. Out wide, Mikey Moore’s future is also in play.
The young winger, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, is close to another temporary switch, this time to Cologne. BILD Rhineland, via Sport Witness, report that the Bundesliga side are on the verge of sealing a season-long loan.
But there is a snag. De Zerbi is understood to be blocking the move for now, unwilling to sign off on Moore’s departure until Tottenham bring in their own attacking reinforcements. He wants cover, options, insurance – and he is prepared to hold his ground to get them.
Cologne are not panicking. The expectation in Germany is that the deal will still go through later in the window once Spurs complete their business in the final third.
For Tottenham, though, the picture is clear. A new goalkeeper, fresh firepower, a manager demanding the right tools. After last season’s brush with disaster, this is a club gambling big on change – and waiting to see if Martinez will be the next major piece of a very different Spurs.
