Just when things were looking up for Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager has been dealt a hammer blow. Less than 48 hours after his side stunned champions Manchester City with a 4-0 win at the Etihad, the Australian has learned that goalkeeper Vicario is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery on a fractured ankle.
In the short term, 36-year-old Fraser Forster is likely to fill the void, with Spurs having two home games this week, Roma in the Europa League on Thursday, and Fulham four days later.
But with the transfer window not opening until January, Postecoglou may assess free agents to cover Vicario’s absence. Express Sport looks at the four most viable options…
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Keylor Navas
Only made six appearances for PSG last season before being released, but at 37, Keylor Navas would at least bring a wealth of experience to north London. The Real Madrid icon, who won three Champions League crowns and a La Liga title with the Spanish club, is well accustomed to high-pressure situations on the elite stage.
He also has Premier League pedigree, playing 17 times on loan for Nottingham Forest in the 2022/23 campaign. The 114-cap Chilean international turned down a move to Al-Hilal last season, suggesting he’s still motivated by career legacy and not cash, and could well prove an effective stop gap.
Loris Karius
The name Loris Karius will always be synonymous with that 2017/18 Champions League final, and sadly for him, not for the right reasons. His last two seasons at Newcastle have yielded just two appearances, and he was let go by Eddie Howe this summer.
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Doubts about his reliability remain prominent, but Postecoglou is not a man concerned by the opinions of others. Still only 31, Karius is a player familiar with English football and should still have a desire to prove just why Jurgen Klopp brought him to Liverpool eight years ago. He’s also readily available.
Edgar Badia
Proven in La Liga and a mainstay with Elche before losing his place last year. That prompted a loan move to Real Zaragoza, with Badia himself then opting to terminate his contract with his parent club this summer.
That decision implies his desire for first-team football remains strong. At 32, the former Spanish age-grade international should not be rusty having had regular game time since January, albeit in the Segunda Division, and may relish the chance to revitalise his career in England.
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Tomas Koubek
After five years in the Bundesliga with Augsburg, Koubek left Germany this summer after his contract expired. He was first choice only in his maiden season with the club, having previously played in Ligue 1 with Rennes.
He has 11 international caps with the Czech Republic, and at 32, would still have something to offer. However, he’s played just 15 club games since 2020 and while wages-wise he would be a cheap option, the ex-Sparta Prague man would also represent a big gamble.
