Juventus have accelerated their pursuit of Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, with a loan agreement including an option to buy edging closer to completion, while the Italian club has abandoned its interest in Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. Elsewhere, Manchester City are facing competition from Al-Hilal for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, and Real Madrid's new manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly sanctioned a bid for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
According to Inside Futbol, the 29-year-old goalkeeper's move to Juventus is now understood to have progressed to a loan with an obligation to buy, rather than a simple option, and the deal is expected to be finalised as soon as 17 August 2026. The precise terms of that obligation have not yet been made public.
Juventus appear to have turned decisively away from signing Martinez, the 33-year-old Argentina international, after talks between the two clubs failed to bridge the financial gap. The Athletic reports that Juventus will now look at alternative goalkeeping options, despite Villa reportedly pushing for a guaranteed transfer fee during negotiations, as separately detailed by the same outlet.
Why did Juventus switch targets from Alisson to Vicario?
Juventus had previously prioritised Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson as their top summer target, as reported in our earlier coverage from 4 May 2026. Their focus has since shifted, and according to JuveFC, the club moved towards Vicario partly because Parma's valuation of alternative target Zion Suzuki was considered too high. Reports from as early as 3 August 2026 via The Hard Tackle indicated Vicario had already reached personal terms with Juventus, though Tottenham remained reluctant to sanction his departure at that stage.
How serious is Manchester City's interest in Pedro Neto?
City are keen to sign the 26-year-old Portugal winger from Chelsea but must contend with a rival bid from Saudi club Al-Hilal, according to Talksport. Beyond scouting-level interest, Football Transfers reports that City have held formal talks with Neto's representatives, moving the interest beyond speculation. Separately, Yahoo Sports notes City have made direct contact with his camp over a possible transfer. Neto had already been named among several Premier League winger targets in a national broadcaster's report published in recent weeks.
City's transfer activity comes amid wider upheaval at the Etihad, following earlier reporting that the club were bracing for a Real Madrid bid for Rodri, as covered in our 27 July 2026 gossip roundup. Barcelona have since agreed a £65m deal to sign Rodri from City, according to the original report.
What other moves are being discussed?
Real Madrid's new manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly approved a move for Arsenal's Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 27, according to Teamtalk. Nottingham Forest have entered the race for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, 23, who is said to want to remain in the Premier League, while Everton are also described as leading contenders after Chelsea gave the striker permission to leave this summer.
Newcastle are preparing a bid worth 55 million euros (£47m) for Villarreal's Georgia forward Georges Mikautadze, 25, who is also drawing interest from Barcelona, per Fichajes. Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 27, has not ruled out leaving Galatasaray this summer, with Arsenal among the interested clubs, according to Caught Offside. That interest follows earlier reporting that Tottenham had made an approach for Osimhen, as detailed in our 3 August 2026 transfer update, which also noted Arsenal's links to Bruno Guimaraes and Spurs' talks with Cody Gakpo.
Coventry City are said to be closing in on Guinea forward Sidiki Cherif, 19, from Fenerbahce, according to Give Me Sport. Everton are also pursuing Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier, 27, before the window closes, per Football Insider. A move for Leeds United's Joel Piroe, 27, to West Ham United is reportedly in its final stages, according to Voetbal International.
Hull City are in advanced talks over a reported £21m deal for Panathinaikos forward Andreas Tetteh, with Roma also interested in the Greece international, according to Ekrem Konur. Manchester United are said to be looking to cash in on academy left-back Harry Amass, 19, in a deal potentially worth around £7m plus add-ons, per a subscription report. AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly excluded France midfielder Youssouf Fofana, 27, from his plans, with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace showing interest, according to Football Insider. Atletico Madrid are said to want to beat Barcelona to Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, 26, whom Girona value at around 25 million euros (£21.3m), per Fichajes.
What happens next?
The Vicario deal is expected to be finalised imminently, with a closure date pointed to as 17 August 2026 by Inside Futbol. Should the Martinez move remain off the table, Juventus are expected to continue exploring alternative goalkeeping targets, according to The Athletic. Manchester City's next step in the Neto pursuit will depend on further negotiations with Chelsea and the player's representatives over valuation and personal terms, per Football Transfers.
Key Facts
- Juventus are close to completing a loan-with-obligation-to-buy deal for Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario, 29, with closure expected around 17 August 2026.
- Juventus have pulled out of talks for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, 33, after failing to agree a fee.
- Manchester City face competition from Al-Hilal for Chelsea's Pedro Neto, 26, but have held formal talks with his camp.
- Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has approved a move for Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, 27.
- Newcastle are preparing a 55m-euro (£47m) bid for Villarreal's Georges Mikautadze, 25.
