Empoli may sell £10 million-rated Leeds United target Fabiano Parisi in January but only if the Premier League outfit would be willing to loan him back to Serie A until the summer, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Until now, the direction of travel appeared to be going in only one way.
Parisi himself admitted that he was ‘not thinking’ about a January departure from the Stadio Carlo Castellani. His agent also played down a move. Ditto Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi, insisting that there is ‘no chance’ of cashing in on the talented left-back with half of the 2022/23 season remaining.
According to TMW, however, this is not exactly the case.
There is still a chance that Parisi ends up securing a move to a new club in the New Year. As long as Leeds United, Nice, Fiorentina, Lazio – or whoever ends up winning the race for his signature – are willing to send the Italy U21 international back to the Azzurri until the summer.
Empoli would, in fact, consider cashing in on Parisi. But only on the proviso that he returns on loan for the final few months of the current campaign.
Leeds United like Serie A left-back Fabiano Parisi
“He’s (a player) of the highest standards. He can aspire to important goals. We had many clubs (showing an interest over the summer). Atalanta to Torino to Fiorentina, Leeds and Nice,” Parisi’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, said back in September.
“In agreement with Empoli, we decided to wait.”
Leeds are expected to be a flurry of activity in the winter window; reinforcements required at either end of the pitch. Head coach Jesse Marsch admits that attacking additions are being sought out, with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Boulaye Dia and Sebastian Driussi reportedly on the radar (Leeds Live).
A left-back will also be welcome. With Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas absent, centre-half Pascal Struijk continues to play out of position on the flank. With admittedly rather mixed results.
Alongside Parisi, Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro is another option.
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