Do not dare underestimate the pulling power of the Premier League.
We live in a world where the club sat bottom of the table can convince a former Real Madrid and Spain boss to sign on the dotted line. Where a £30 million Barcelona player ups sticks and heads for Bournemouth. Where the best player in Brazil is willing to risk relegation at Nottingham Forest in order to fulfil his lifelong ambition of strutting his stuff in front of a UK audience.
So rule out a move to Elland Road for Empoli’s Fabiano Parisi at your peril.
Leeds United like Fabiano Parisi but face competition from Serie A giants
The Italy U21 international’s agent admitted to Tuttomercatoweb back in September that Leeds United were one of the clubs keeping tabs on his £14 million-rated client.
“I consider him a great player. He can get transfer in January or (next) summer,” Mario Giuffredi explained.
“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.”
Now patience, as they say, is a virtue.
With all due respect to Torino, Fiorentina and co, Parisi is now attracting the attention of a higher class of club ahead of the January transfer window, even if Empoli are at pains to point out that mid-season offers will be tossed straight into the nearest trash bag. His decision to wait, and see if bigger offers present themselves, has paid off big time.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus, Inter Milan and runaway Serie A leaders Napoli have now thrown their respective hats into the ring for one of Italy’s most exciting left-backs.
All three clubs are in Champions League contention. They could allow Parisi to thrive on the biggest of stages, while forcing his way into the Italian national team. And, for Leeds United supporters, there may be a nagging feeling of déjà vu.
Deja vu
Leeds missed out on Cody Gakpo and Charles de Ketelaere last summer, both players holding out for loftier destinations. Leeds may be one of the most historic and best supported teams in English football. But they also needed a final day winner at Brentford to avoid relegation in May. Jesse Marsch’s side are just five points off the bottom of the table as things stand too. A superb fanbase and a storied history only takes you so far, as far as attracting top talent is concerned.
It’s largely thanks to the extraordinary pulling power of the Premier League that Leeds cannot be ruled out of the race for Fabiano Parisi. But, with Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan now joining them, even the lure of English football may not be enough to twist Parisi’s arm.
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