Tottenham agrees to transfer to solve goalkeeper crisis moments before debut as third option
Tottenham have agreed to sign goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague in a deal worth £12.5m.
Coach Ange Postecoglou is currently facing a squad crisis that has severely affected his goalkeeping options.
First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined with a long-term ankle injury, while substitute Fraser Forster has fallen ill ahead of the Premier League visit to Newcastle on Saturday.
As first reported by talkSPORT, it means Spurs will hand 25-year-old Brandon Austin his senior debut for the midday clash, nine years after the goalkeeper arrived at the club in 2015.
Tottenham have acted quickly to address the issue by signing Czech youth international Kinsky in the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old will fly to England for a medical on Saturday night.
Kinsky has impressed in the Czech top flight this season, keeping 12 clean sheets in 19 games and helping Slavia Prague lead the league.
He unexpectedly broke into the first team after number one goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek suffered a serious injury ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Questions have been asked of Forster during Vicario's absence as Tottenham have conceded 15 goals in their last seven games.
Speaking about the need for reinforcements in January, Postecoglou said on Friday: “It's not a question of pressing, but I think the club is working hard to try to get some help for the group of players and it's no secret, we need to reinforce our numbers increase a little. January is not an easy month.
“We understand that it is not an easy time to attract people especially quickly. At the same time, we still want to make sure we do what we think is best for us rather than just, you know, panicking and bringing in people who aren't going to be a good fit.
“They are not celebrating New Year's parties, they are working to try to improve our situation and will continue to do so.”
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In total, Tottenham are currently without eight first-team players due to injuries, suspensions and an on-field illness.
Beyond their goalkeepers, Spurs have been significantly affected in defence, with starting stars Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero sidelined.
Postecoglou's men have struggled throughout the squad crisis, winning just once in their last seven league games and falling to 11th in the Premier League table.
When asked if the situation had prompted him to pull out his hair, Postecoglou replied: “It wouldn't be good bald, my wife would definitely leave me!
“I've never been this nice guy who says 'poor me' and 'something else could go wrong'. It's a big challenge.”
“I keep telling the guys that it will make the story better and more interesting in the end, wherever we end up.”
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talkSPORT understands that Tottenham is too considering an attack in January for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.
Newcastle, West Ham and Brentford are also betting on the first Chelsea central defense amid their recent struggles in Italy.
Listen to the lunchtime clash between Tottenham and Newcastle live on talkSPORT at 12:30 p.m.!
