Fiorentina legend Giovanni Galli feels the Serie A outfit missed a trick with Tottenham Hotspur bringing Guglielmo Vicario to the Premier League for £17 million.
After Empoli rebuffed the advances of both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United – and following enquiries from a number of Italian clubs – Guglielmo Vicario finally sealed his big-money move away from the Stadio Carlo Castellani this week.
Tottenham Hotspur stumped up £17 million for a man who should replace Hugo Lloris as their new number one.
Spurs’ gain, meanwhile, is Fiorentina’s loss. At least, that is the view of La Viola legend Galli.
“When (players like Vicario) go abroad, I’m always disappointed,” Galli tells Tuttomercatoweb. “Also because they are replaced by foreign goalkeepers. We have many young players ready for the big leap but it takes courage.
“I’m p***** off. (But) I’m not the manager of Fiorentina. They make the choices. If Fiorentina wants to raise their level, it must have certainties in their spine.”
Tottenham sign Serie A goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario
Vicario arrives at Spurs having established himself as one of the most complete goalkeepers in Italian football. Not only an expert shot-stopper, he is also supremely confident with the ball at his feet. A ball-playing goalkeeper, meanwhile, is integral to Ange Postecoglou’s hopes of constructing a team in his image in North London.
Vicario’s sale, meanwhile, is a source of immense ‘pride’ for Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi.
“Apart from the great satisfaction of being able to sell to one of the most prestigious and important clubs in English football, which is a reference at every level, we are talking about a footballer and a phenomenal person,” Corsi tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“We said goodbye today. And I reiterated that I congratulate his parents for the great job.
“The deal gives Empoli a great boost and an international image. It was unthinkable 20 years ago, or even ten, to make transfers of this type. Now, all our young players have proof (that they can go onto great things here).
“Because we, in addition to making them grow, launch them.”
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