Tottenham's Dubravka Move Lays Bare an Unsolved Goalkeeping Problem

Tottenham are set to complete the free-transfer signing of Martin Dubravka, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the deal for the 37-year-old goalkeeper will be finalised on Wednesday following his release by relegated Burnley.

This is not a marquee arrival. It is a low-cost insurance move that exposes a far bigger issue: Tottenham do not have a settled, elite goalkeeper heading into a season in which they are chasing European qualification.

Why Spurs are turning to a 37-year-old free agent

Dubravka was released by Burnley on 10 June after the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League. He arrives on a free transfer, and at 37 he is being brought in as cover rather than a solution.

An experienced safety net, not a statement

The Slovakian was Burnley's undisputed number one for most of last season, featuring in 35 Premier League outings. The numbers underline why this is a pragmatic addition rather than an exciting one.

• 35 Premier League appearances last season
• Four clean sheets
• 71 goals conceded
• Dropped to the bench for the final three games, with Max Weiss preferred

His career arc adds weight to the experienced free agent narrative. Dubravka established himself at Newcastle, had a brief loan spell at Manchester United, and then anchored Burnley's defence on their one-year return to the top flight.

The role he is walking into

Should the move go through as expected, Dubravka is set to be De Zerbi's second choice. That is the telling detail.

A Europe-chasing side is signing a 37-year-old as backup, which raises a fair question: have Tottenham done enough between the posts to be confident of defensive solidity next term?

The goalkeeping picture: Vicario, Kinsky and the No.1 question

The signing makes sense only when you understand how unsettled the position has become. Two of Spurs' current options are mired in uncertainty.

Vicario edging towards Inter

Guglielmo Vicario, long viewed as Spurs' first-choice keeper, has doubts hanging over his long-term future. talkSPORT reported in April that the Italian has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan regarding a potential summer switch.

If Vicario departs, Tottenham lose the most established goalkeeper on their books and the No.1 spot becomes genuinely open.

Kinsky's confidence dented

antonin-kinsky" class="entity-link entity-link--player">Antonin Kinsky is in line to retain the No.1 role next term. The 23-year-old joined from Slavia Prague in January 2025 in a £12.5million deal, initially as a back-up.

His credibility took a hit in March. Two high-profile gaffes against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League saw him hauled off just 17 minutes into the game, a public wobble that threatened to derail his standing in north London.

He recovered to start the final seven games of the 2025/26 campaign. But for a side targeting Europe, building around a 23-year-old whose confidence was so visibly dented is a calculated gamble.

Dubravka is expected to be Roberto De Zerbi's second choice should the move to Tottenham be completed.

What it means for Spurs' defensive markets

For anyone assessing Tottenham's over/under and clean-sheet markets, the lack of a settled, elite keeper matters. A 71-goals-conceded backup, a young keeper recovering from a public error, and a potential first-choice exit do not add up to defensive certainty.

Tottenham's bigger summer rebuild under De Zerbi

The goalkeeping move is one strand of one of the busiest windows in the Premier League. De Zerbi guided Spurs to survival on the final day last season with a 1-0 win over Leeds, and is now building a squad capable of challenging for a European place.

The arrivals so far

Spurs have moved early and aggressively in the market.

• Andy Robertson, signed on a free transfer following his release by Liverpool
• Marcos Senesi, confirmed after running down his contract at Bournemouth
• Jan Paul van Hecke, signed from Brighton in a £52million deal

More signings are expected. Spurs had an opening offer for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali knocked back, with talkSPORT understanding a bid in the region of £75m-£80m was rejected by a Magpies side holding out for in excess of £100m.

Hijacks and exits

Tottenham are also looking to hijack Manchester United's move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, signalling intent in midfield to match the defensive overhaul.

The traffic is moving both ways. Teenage defender Luka Vuskovic has been the subject of a £45m bid from Brighton, with Spurs willing to part ways for £60m, while midfielder Lucas Bergvall could be sold two years after joining having told the club he wants to leave, with three Premier League sides keen.

It is a sweeping rebuild. Yet amid the £52m centre-backs and nine-figure midfield pursuits, the most important position on the pitch has been addressed with a free agent on the wrong side of 35.

What happens next

The Dubravka deal is expected to be rubber-stamped on Wednesday, giving De Zerbi an experienced body in the goalkeeping group. The more significant date will be whenever Vicario's future is resolved.

If the Italian completes a move to Inter, Tottenham will be relying on Kinsky as their No.1 with a 37-year-old behind him, a setup that leaves little margin for error in a Europe-chasing campaign. Should Vicario stay, the calculus changes entirely.

Expect Spurs to remain active. The Tonali and Fernandes pursuits show ambition in the outfield, but the unresolved question between the posts is the one that could shape how solid this rebuilt side really is.