Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their search for a new frontline goalkeeper after AS Roma star Mile Svilar formally rejected an approach to join the North London club.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has prioritised the addition of an elite shot-stopper to replace the likely-to-leave Guglielmo Vicario.
According to reports in Italy, Spurs were prepared to make a massive €60 million offer to bring Svilar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While such a lucrative baseline package would represent an incredible profit for Roma, who secured Svilar on a free transfer from Benfica, Svilar immediately shut down negotiations.
The ‘special’ keeper has made it clear to his representatives that he has no interest in abandoning the project in the Italian capital.
Svilar enjoyed a magnificent 2025/26 campaign, establishing himself as one of the most dominant goalkeepers in Serie A. The Roma number one racked up 107 saves and recorded a stunning 18 clean sheets.
His exceptional reflexes and elite distribution lines were central to the Giallorossi clinching a coveted Champions League spot on the final day of the season.
The lure of playing in Europe’s premier club competition underpins Svilar’s decision to reject De Zerbi’s project. While Tottenham could offer a highly lucrative wage increase, their lack of Champions League football stands in sharp contrast to the elite European nights waiting at the Stadio Olimpico.
Svilar’s refusal leaves Tottenham forced to quickly pivot to alternative options on their transfer shortlist. Bart Verbruggen and James Trafford remain active targets, and the former, who worked with De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion, would be a good fit.