Power of Postecoglou woos top Tottenham transfer target but Maddison warned over 'p***** off' gamble at Spurs

Guglielmo Vicario has revealed a guarantee of thrilling football under Ange Postecoglou sold him on a transfer to Tottenham.

The former Celtic boss made a personal pitch to the £17million keeper after he swapped Empoli for a chance to be a key contributor amid the mammoth Spurs rebuild under the Greek-Australian. Tottenham were keen on Brentford sweeper-keeper David Raya but baulked at the Bees' asking price that was in excess of £30m. And now Vicario is hell-bent on proving he can thrive playing Angeball for his new manager.

Speaking after his unveiling, he said: “I spoke with him, and he told me the keeper is so important with his attacking mentality. He wants to dominate the game. I love this mentality. It will be a big chance for me. I didn’t believe this opportunity. I told my agent it’s my first choice, I want to go to the Premier League and a big club like Spurs. For me, it’s so exciting.

“I want to learn a lot of things because the culture of football in Italy is so different. I need to adapt quickly to my team-mates, to the style of play, so many differences between Italian football (and the Premier League). The fans are amazing as well, the buzz when you play well. I love this mentality.”

The boost for Spurs fans could continue with James Maddison closing in on a potential £40m deal to take him from relegated Leicester to North London. But legendary Newcastle striker Alan Shearer – who remains an avid follower of the other suitors in the Maddison stakes – reckons the England international must ask chairman Daniel Levy or Postecoglou himself the plan with Harry Kane. The Tottenham icon has 12 months remaining on his deal and Bayern Munich are hell-bent on securing his services.

England icon Shearer, speaking