Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici is leveraging his Tottenham Hotspur connections to pursue a reunion with Italy international Destiny Udogie, though the Premier League club have slapped a €40-50 million valuation on the left-back that threatens to derail the move.
Paratici, who returned to Serie A with Fiorentina in February after two spells at Spurs plus a period as an external advisor during his ban, has identified the 23-year-old as a primary target to strengthen the Viola’s defence. Udogie has endured a frustrating spell in North London since his 2022 transfer from Udinese, managing only 28 appearances and one assist this season due to injury troubles and irregular selection.
Spurs Dig In Over Price
Tottenham’s current demands represent a substantial profit on the €18 million plus up to €7 million in add-ons they invested to acquire Udogie from Udinese. The defender is contracted until June 2030, leaving his employers in a commanding position regarding any potential departure.
The situation is further complicated by head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s stance. The Italian is reportedly determined to retain Udogie despite the player’s struggle for consistent minutes, viewing him as valuable depth for the squad rather than a dispensable asset.
Loan Formula Under Discussion
Conscious that a permanent transfer at the quoted price exceeds their resources, Fiorentina are exploring a paid loan arrangement with an option to buy. The proposed structure would include performance-based clauses potentially converting the deal into an obligation should specific targets be achieved during the season, allowing the Florence club to spread the financial commitment.
Ruggeri Offered as Cut-Price Alternative
Should the Udogie pursuit prove impossible, Paratici has lined up Atletico Madrid’s Matteo Ruggeri as an alternative. The Spanish side are reportedly seeking €25 million for the former Atalanta wing-back—significantly less than Udogie’s price—having signed him only last summer for €17 million plus add-ons.
Ruggeri, also a 23-year-old Italy international, moved abroad more recently than Udogie but could be tempted by a return to Italian football. Atletico, however, are under no compulsion to sell having just invested in the player twelve months ago.
Decision Time for Franchi Hierarchy
Fiorentina must now weigh the merits of persisting with a complicated, expensive reunion against securing a more straightforward deal for Ruggeri. With pre-season approaching, Paratici faces a deadline to resolve the left-back position before the squad reconvenes for summer training.