How Fiorentina Lured Fabio Paratici Away From Tottenham’s Riches
The transfer guru is set to seal his move back to Italy in the coming days.
Fiorentina are closing in on the appointment of Fabio Paratici as their new sporting director.
Fabio Paratici Given Carte Blanche Over Fiorentina Transfers
Paratici wants to join the Serie A club despite only returning to Tottenham in the same role two months ago.
A four-and-a-half-year contract has been drawn up, and the move is expected to be rubberstamped soon.
Some may raise their eyebrows at his desire to move away from the Premier League’s riches, but Fiorentina’s successful sales pitch seemingly centred on one clear pulling factor.
Indeed, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paratici has been given carte blanche over La Viola’s transfers. This will effectively hand him a decisive role in the club’s bid to avoid a shock relegation this season.
Talks have been productive, but the turning point was a secretive meeting in Rome last week, per Football Italia.
Tottenham Want Fabio Paratici Compensation
However, according to the Daily Mail, Spurs will not allow Paratici to simply walk away without compensation.
The recruitment guru is thought to have informed the North London club’s hierarchy of the interest from Italy. It is not known, though, whether an official approach has been made.
Paratici resigned as Tottenham’s managing director of football in April 2023 after a ban for his role in financial irregularities at Juventus was extended worldwide by FIFA.
He remained involved, working on a consultancy basis. Then, after his ban ran out this summer, he was promptly reappointed as Spurs’ sporting director, sharing the role with Johan Lange.
Fiorentina boosted their Serie A survival bid with a 5-1 thrashing of Udinese last time out, their first league win of the season, and Paratici’s looming arrival represents further good news for the basement club.
Daniele Prade, their previous sporting director, had departed by mutual consent last month.
Paratici will apppoint a new head scout, with Lorenzo Giani, formerly of Juventus and Spurs, heading to Florence.
All that remains now is a final decision from Tottenham over the compensation package.
Fabio Paratici’s History In Italy
Before his first spell at Tottenham, Paratici spent 11 glittering years as Juve’s sporting director, presiding over one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Under his stewardship, the Old Lady won nine Serie A titles and reached the Champions League final twice.
He previously held talks about a return to Italy, having been targeted by AC Milan before they appointed Igli Tare.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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