New Tottenham signing Guglielmo Vicario could have joined Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
That’s according to his father, who claims Newcastle ‘came forward’ for the player in the winter window but Empoli blocked any departure until this summer.
Vicario was confirmed as Tottenham’s first signing of the summer transfer window yesterday, joining the club in a €20m deal from Italian side Empoli following weeks of rumours about a switch.
He arrives at Tottenham as the long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris, who has indicated he is ready to move on from the club at some point this summer.
He has been linked with a move to England before this week’s transfer, though, with the likes of Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton all credited with an interest over the last year or so.
Newcastle were not among them given Nick Pope’s success at the club since his move from Burnley last summer, but his father says they were looking at a deal in the January transfer window.
“No, we would not have preferred to see him continue playing in Italy, from our side there was no preclusion,” he said.
“My wife always wanted to go and study in England, then she had to make other choices. To see her son realising a dream that was his is unimaginable gratification.
“Newcastle and Nottingham Forest had come forward in January, but Empoli wanted to postpone everything until the summer.”
