Empoli have once again demonstrated their knack for identifying and nurturing goalkeeping talent. Following the successful stints of Guglielmo Vicario, who was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for a substantial fee, and Elia Caprile, who impressed during his loan spell before returning to Napoli, the Tuscan club has struck gold with their latest acquisition, Devis Vásquez.
The Colombian goalkeeper, initially brought to Europe by AC Milan, was not a widely recognized name when Empoli decided to take a chance on him last summer. Vásquez’s move to Torino as a backup for Vanja Milinkovic-Savic fell through at the last moment, opening the door for Empoli to swoop in and secure his services within 24 hours, beating Spezia to the punch.
Vásquez’s impact in his debut Serie A season has been nothing short of remarkable. He delivered a standout performance in Empoli’s home draw against Juventus, making several crucial saves, and was instrumental in their victory against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. His consistency and reliability have been key factors in Empoli boasting the seventh-best defensive record in the league.
The goalkeeper’s impressive displays have not gone unnoticed, attracting attention both in Italy and abroad. The City Football Group, in particular, has shown interest, with reports suggesting they might consider bringing Vásquez to Palermo, who are in need of a goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
However, Empoli’s president Fabrizio Corsi has moved quickly to quash these rumours. In an interview with Calciomercato, Corsi stated, “Palermo? No one has spoken to us; I don’t know where this rumor comes from. We are extremely happy with Devis; he is doing very well and has an important market value. Our idea would be to reach June to proceed with the redemption from Milan. For us, he’s not moving in January.”
Empoli plans to exercise their option to buy Vásquez for €1 million, with AC Milan retaining a 10% sell-on clause. Given his current form, it seems likely that the 26-year-old goalkeeper will become yet another profitable venture for a club that has set the standard in player development and transfer market savvy over the past two decades.
