The ink is still drying on the three-year deal Fabiano Parisi signed with Serie A outfit Empoli a matter of weeks ago. But with the Italian U21 international attracting interest from Bergamo to Beeston, the chances of the talented left-back staying at the Stadio Carlo Castellani until his deal expires in the summer of 2025 feel slim indeed.
“I consider him a great team player. He can be the transfer man for January or for (next) summer,” explains Mario Giuffredi, Parisi’s agent, when talking to Tuttomercatoweb.
“He’s (a player) of the highest standards. He can aspire to important goals. We had many clubs (showing an interest); from Atalanta to Torino to Fiorentina, Leeds and Nice.
“In agreement with Empoli we decided to wait.”
Leeds United like Serie A defender Fabiano Parisi
Now, whether Leeds plan to renew their interest in January depends largely on the Junior Firpo situation. The former Barcelona benchwarmer is the only natural left-back in Jesse Marsch’s squad. Another injury means he is yet to play a minute so far this season; even if the 26-year-old should return sooner rather than later from his latest absence.
The fact is, however, Firpo has not proven himself to be anything but unreliable since that £13 million move from Barca in the summer of 2021. He’s barely put a run of games together; niggle after knock ensuring a staccato start to his Elland Road career. And even when Firpo is fit enough to start, his defensive awareness is frequently less-than impressive.
In truth, it would feel naïve in the extreme if Leeds are not drawing up plans to bring in another left-sided defender as soon as Jools Holland hits out screens on New Years’ Eve. The fact that Pascal Struijk has been forced to fill in for Firpo during Leeds’ first six games of the new Premier League campaign is a rather damning indictment of the club’s inability to reinforce a long-standing problem position adequately. Though Struijk has performed adequately, he is very much a square peg in a round hole.
Interest, now-confirmed interest, in Parisi at least suggests that Leeds are aware of the issue. Now, time to fix it.
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