The 4th Official
·7 August 2022
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·7 August 2022
If a report from Calciomercato is believed to be true, Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on Udinese defender Destiny Udogie. Spurs chief Antonio Conte has recommended the move personally and Daniel Levy, the club owner, has been quick enough to strike a deal for the teenage sensation.
The appointment of Fabio Paratici as the sporting director has helped Spurs access the Serie A market in recent months. Juventus, Inter Milan, Lazio, Brighton & Hove Albion and even Manchester City have monitored the 19-year-old ahead of a potential summer swoop, but the Lilywhites have won the race, as claimed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Azzurri youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Hellas Verona before breaking into their senior side in November 2020. After six Serie A outings for the Gialloblu, the youngster joined Udinese last summer on a season-long loan (with an obligation to buy). There he enjoyed his breakthrough campaign with five goals and four assists in 35 league appearances.
Predominantly a left-wingback, the young ace has impressed with his exquisite dribbling ability and overlapping runs. A fee of around £20m has been agreed with the Pozzo family and the North London giants are expected to loan him back to the Bianconeri for the ongoing term.
Inter Milan’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic celebrates with fans after Inter won the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) final football match between Juventus and Inter on May 11, 2022 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur are well equipped down the left with Ryan Sessegnon, Sergio Reguilón and the veteran Ivan Perišić pushing each other for the starting role. Udogie will find his minutes limited if he joins them now, and therefore, should continue his development in Italy with regular gametime.
The Lilywhites are off to a flying start with a thumping 4-1 win against Southampton. Conte’s excellence earned them a Champions League berth back in May and the summer business has transformed them into a strong contender to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race.
Udogie revealed his Premier League ambition last year, stating that he would like to head out of his homeland with England being a preferred destination (as quoted by Calciomercato). He is close to achieving the same if everything goes as per plan without a late turn of events.