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Bryan King gets real about what Tottenham would need to do to sign Bart Verbruggen

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Dec 25, 2025 8:18 AM ET

Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has emerged as an option to replace Tottenham No.1 Guglielmo Vicario.

Thomas Frank has come under pressure at Tottenham Hotspur following the alarm dip in performance levels and form over the past two months, as has goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Guglielmo Vicario has endured a very up-and-down. The Italy international started his third season in north London very well and grabbed the headlines with his individual brilliance in certain games, most notably in the 0-0 draw with AS Monaco in the Champions League in October. He was also excellent against Chelsea in November when, despite his team’s narrow defeat, the 29-year-old made eight saves and prevented an implosion.

However, on the other side, Vicario has had some stinkers, too. He was at fault for Fulham’s second goal in Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat in November. The Spurs No.1 played a poor pass in the build-up to Nottingham Forest’s first goal in a 3-0 loss at the City Ground earlier this month, and misjudged a cross-shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi that ended up in the back of the net.

Ex-Spurs scout says Tottenham would need to pay “silly” amount of money to sign Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen

Vicario is struggling for form and confidence at Tottenham and could ultimately be replaced at the club. The Lilywhites have been linked with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as a potential replacement for Vicario.

Bart Verbruggen has developed into one of the reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League since he moved to Brighton in 2023. The Netherlands international is miles better than Vicario in terms of distribution and commanding the box, and while he isn’t at the same level in terms of shot-stopping, he is only 23 and has a lot of room to develop his game.

Now, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King claims the north Londoners would have to splash “silly” amount of money to persuade Brighton into selling their No.1 keeper Verbruggen during the upcoming January transfer window.

“What they need is for Vicario to perform like he did when he first got in the team,” Bryan King exclusively told Football Insider.

“They brought in Kinsky who they thought was going to be the business.

“Now they’re turning to a so-called established goalkeeper in the Premier League. The only reason Brighton would let Verbruggen go is if Tottenham offered a silly amount of money because I wouldn’t let my keeper go in the January window. Brighton are only going to let him go if Tottenham go over the top for him.”

Tottenham receive boost in pursuit of Verbruggen

Spurs have been monitoring Verbruggen’s performances at Brighton, and they have received a surprise boost in their pursuit of the goalkeeper. As per the latest reports , Brighton are already making contingency plans as it fears Verbruggen is on his way out. This has prompted the Seagulls to scout Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser in recent weeks.

In reality, it is difficult for Tottenham to convince Brighton to let go of their No.1 midway through the season. The only way we see that happening is if the club decides to pay over the top for Verbruggen, which appears unlikely. So, we are likely to see Vicario continuing in goal until the end of the season and then Tottenham deciding to replace him with the Seagulls’ star.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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