Emil Audero’s decision to turn down a deadline day move to ambitious Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, via La Repubblica, has cemented the goalkeeper’s cult hero status at Sampdoria.
With Samp second-from-bottom, staring down the barrel of relegation and facing a potential points deduction due to their precarious financial situation, it would have been very easy for Audero to leap into the nearest lifeboat and sail away from this seemingly sinking ship.
But the former Juventus ‘stopper is not that sort of character. Not that sort of player. Instead of forcing through a deadline day departure, and leaving Sampdoria in the lurch, Audero opted to stay put and help I Blucerchiati in their hour of need.
Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero rejects Nottingham Forest
“Thank you for your willingness to share this difficult moment with us,” beams an emotional Enzo Tirotto, formerly the head of Sampdoria’s ‘Ultras’ group (SampNews24).
“Thank you for not abandoning the stormy ship, for the example you set and are setting in the locker room. (And) thank you for this injection of pride you gave us with a simple ‘no’.
“You are experiencing first-hand how much the Sampdorians are capable of gratitude towards those who show us so much attachment. Here, you have entered the immortals.”
Audero joined Sampdoria for an eye-watering £17 million back in 2019. He is now vice-captain of a club nine points adrift of safety, winning just two of 20 Serie A matches.
Nottingham Forest – just one league defeat in seven – are in a far stronger position by comparison. Especially following a flurry of impressive January additions, headlined by La Liga champion Felipe, Brazilian Player of the Year Gustavo Scarpa, the £18 million Danilo and, above all, three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas.
Forest snap up Keylor Navas
According to The Mail, Forest came calling for Audero when a deadline day deal for Navas looked like collapsing. Eventually, the veteran Costa Rican did arrive from Paris Saint-Germain, making Sampdoria’s chances of retaining Audero until the summer that little bit more straightforward.
“Football is as wonderful,” former PSG and Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos writes on Instagram; bidding an emotional farewell to 36-year-old Navas.
“My friend, brother, you opened the doors of your home to make us feel yours. You accompanied us at all times, and together, we have continued to build special memories. All the best in this new stage. We’ll miss you dearly, but we’ll always be close.”
Navas will hope to make his Nottingham Forest debut in Sunday’s crunch clash with Leeds United. There are just two places and three points between Forest and Jesse Marsch’s side in the Premier League.
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