Tottenham could move forward with plans to sign a new goalkeeper in January, with Guglielmo Vicario only expected to be fit after the transfer window closes.
On Monday, Vicario underwent surgery on a broken foot, suffered when he landed awkwardly during a challenge with Savinho half an hour into Saturday’s 4-0 win over Manchester City.
The Italian finished the match but was sent for a scan on Sunday, which revealed he had fractured a bone in his ankle.
Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou will have to rely on 36-year-old Fraser Forster until Vicario returns or until Spurs can sign a new goalkeeper.
The club was already planning to recruit youngsters for Vicario, probably this summer, but could now bring forward their plans for the winter window.
Spurs have not set a timetable for Vicario’s return, and Postecoglou is expected to provide an update on Wednesday, but he is not expected to return until January, which could persuade the club to sign a new keeper early in the season. next year. .
They could sign a free agent before then, but cannot sign new players before the window opens.
“Sometimes football gives you highs, and sometimes it challenges you in ways you don’t expect,” Vicario wrote on social media. “I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team.
“Unfortunately, there was no way around it. I had to have surgery. I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to help the team for a while.”
Forster is set to make his fourth appearance of the season against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday, before a first Premier League start since May 2023 when Fulham visit on Sunday.
Goalkeepers Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman, both academy graduates with no senior appearances for Spurs to their name, are also in Postecoglou’s first team.