Tottenham, Spurs, The Lilywhites, Udogie, Spurs transfer news, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Conte, Paratici
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ‘closing in’ on the signing of Udinese defender Destiny Udogie, according to The Telegraph.
The lowdown: Udogie profiled
A product of the youth system at Hellas Verona, Udogie, called ‘extraordinary’ by former manager Gabriele Cioffi, made the switch to fellow Serie A outfit Udinese for £3.6million in July following a successful loan spell.
The 19-year-old Italy youth international has made 44 senior club appearances to date, directly contributing to eight goals in the process, and has recently attracted the attention of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Despite only recently completing a transfer to his current club, now it appears as though another switch could be on the horizon for Udogie as Fabio Paratici began talks earlier this week.
The latest: Telegraph drop Udogie update
As per The Telegraph, Tottenham are now believed to be ‘close to agreeing deal’ to sign the four-cap Under 21 starlet, who is known for his tenacious style and elite athleticism with ‘top pace and physicality‘.
It’s claimed that Spurs will pay £21million for the talented left-back with Udinese requesting to loan him back for the duration of the 2022/23 campaign.
The report cites ‘sources in Italy’ who have suggested an ‘agreement has been reached’ that will see the teenager arrive in N17, potentially alongside compatriot Nicolo Zaniolo from AS Roma.
Zaniolo is believed to be an ‘obsession‘ of Antonio Conte’s and the boss has apparently requested Paratici signs the young midfield maestro as well.
The verdict: Exciting capture
Clearly one for the future given the likelihood of an immediate loan return to Italy, signing Udogie can still be heralded as a sensational capture for Paratici and the Lilywhites moreover.
With a 33-year-old Ivan Perisic already in situ, opportunities for the marauding Italian left-back would’ve been few and far between under Conte in the short term, therefore, sanctioning the loan back to Udinese makes an abundance of sense for all parties.
Predominantly operating as a left-wing back like in Conte’s own preferred 3-5-2 formation, last season, Udgoie scored five times and provided three assists in 35 Serie A outings, earning a 6.84 Sofascore rating whilst winning 1.8 tackles on average per game – highlighting impressive defensive acumen to accompany an obvious attacking threat.
Sharing similar stylistic traits with Renan Lodi, Ansgar Knauff and Tottenham outcast Sergio Reguilon (Fbref), he appears to be readymade to replace Perisic in the long run.
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