Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici meets agent and club to organise Destiny Udogie deal, as Euro giants linked with move

Udinese left-back Destiny Udogie

Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici has reportedly met with the agent of Destiny Udogie to discuss a move, although competition could emerge from Juventus.

Udogie is making a big impression in Italy. The 19-year-old left-back played 37 times for Udinese during the recent season, registering five goals and three assists.

He is a four-time Italy U21 international who appears set for bigger things.

This is nothing new for a club like Udinese, who finished 12th in Serie A during 2021-22. They sold Rodrigo de Paul to Atletico Madrid last year after the midfielder shone for them and proved he could make it at a bigger club.

Of course, Udinese aren’t the only mid-table team to be affected by this. Sassuolo, who recently came 11th in the Italian top flight, could lose Gianluca Scamacca after he hit 16 goals in 38 games.

Udogie became a target for Tottenham last week. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Spurs want to bolster their ranks at left wing-back by capturing the exciting teenager.

Of course, Antonio Conte’s squad was recently improved by the signing of Ivan Perisic, on a free transfer from Inter Milan.

But Spurs are already looking at the future of the position, with Perisic 33 years old and Ryan Sessegnon deemed not good enough. Sergio Reguilon is available to Conte too, so it’s hard to see how all four players will fit in the squad.

Fabio Paratici discusses Destiny Udogie signing

Sport Witness provide an update on Udogie’s future, while citing Sky Italia. They claim Paratici met with the defender’s representative in London in the past few days.

The agent was already in the UK to speak with Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo, whose son Gino owns Watford.

Paratici will have spoken with Udogie’s agent about a possible transfer to Tottenham. It would be a big step up for the starlet, but it seems he has the ability to handle it.

Udinese want £17.2million for the player. But given his potential this is a reasonable sum, and one that Spurs have no trouble matching.

Since the meeting with Udogie’s entourage, Paratici has also spoken with Udinese officials about the possible capture.

Udogie was recently on the books of Hellas Verona. But following a season-long loan at Udinese, the club made him a permanent signing by paying £3.6m. They are now in line for a big profit.

Unfortunately for Spurs, there is a problem emerging in the form of Juventus. The report claims Udogie’s agent wants to take him to Juve, instead of the Premier League side.

This is why the representative went and met with Udinese owner Pozzo. He believes a cheaper transfer value will help Juve to get in the mix.

Paratici is clearly getting to work on the move, which is good news for Spurs. But Juve could threaten the deal if Udogie’s price tag is reduced by Udinese.

Most Italian players like the prospect of playing for Juve. Udogie is unlikely to be any different, giving Spurs a serious issue. A big charm offensive may be needed to beat Juve to Udogie’s signature.

Meanwhile, Spurs have reportedly agreed a fee with Brighton for Yves Bissouma and are now planning a medical.