The Croatian has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur throughout 2016.
Milan Badelj with Croatia
Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj was tentatively linked with Tottenham Hotspur throughout the past few months.
Calcio Mercato reported that Spurs and Napoli were keen on the Croatian international midfielder, who performed well at this summer’s European Championships.
Tottenham were first reported as interested in the Croatian back in January, as reported by the Daily Mail, as his agent reportedly had fallen out with the Fiorentina hierarchy over unpaid commission.
Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
Of course no deal ever came about, with Spurs signing Victor Wanyama instead, but Badelj did nearly go to AC Milan.
Again, Fiorentina stood in the way.
Now his agent has vented on the issue. He is quoted by Football Italia as telling FirenzeViola.it that Badelj will not be signing a new deal with La Viola – and that he did have an offer from England this summer:
“Milan made an offer, but it wasn’t only them.
“Fiorentina also rejected two offers from abroad, one from Germany and one from England. He would’ve earned twice as much as he does now.
Croatia’s Milan Badelj, Ivan Rakitic and Gordon Schildenfeld react after the game
“His renewal? Let me be clear: we don’t intend to renew his contract with La Viola, so Badelj, at the end of the season, or between the next two years, will leave Florence.”
Of course it is not known whether the club in this case was indeed Spurs.
But if not it certainly appears that Badelj’s representatives are very keen on moving him away from the Italian club as soon as possible.
Spurs may want to look into a swoop again come January.
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