Leeds United may be left frustrated in their pursuit of Fabiano Parisi with Empoli’s sporting director telling Tuttomercatoweb that his Premier League-linked left-back has ‘never given any sign of wanting to leave’.
This summer, Leeds paid nearly £100 million on no fewer than eight new signings. But the Jesse Marsch rebuilding project is not complete just yet; a lick of paint required here, a spring clean there.
The Yorkshire giants, after all, do not have a single first-team left-back available with both Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas out of action. Furthermore, try as they might, the injury-hit Patrick Bamford remains as irreplaceable as ever following failed deadline-day bids for Bamba Dieng and Cody Gakpo.
Expect more business in January, then. Chairman Andrea Radrizzani has already admitted that their interest in PSV talisman Gakpo is ongoing.
And Fabiano Parisi, a 21-year-old Italy youth star, is another name potentially on Leeds’ radar heading into the New Year. An attack-minded left-back, Parisi would provide some much-needed competition for Firpo, while freeing up Pascal Struijk to revert to his favoured centre-half role.
The youngster’s agent, last week, confirmed Leeds’ interest in his highly-rated client.
But, having extended his contract to 2025 a month ago, luring Parisi away from Empoli when the New Year’s fireworks die down will be easier said than done.
Leeds United like Serie A starlet Fabiano Parisi
“He has had offers,” says Pietro Accardi, the Serie A club’s sporting director
“But we had decided to remove him from the market by renewing his contract. He has never given us any signs of wanting to leave.”
Leeds United could also make a move for Philadelphia Union’s set-piece specialist Kai Wagner in January. The former Schalke prospect was a summer target for the Whites. But a mid-season departure from the MLS Eastern Conference leaders was never on the cards. Not with the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign running until November, and with a title on the line.
“(Wagner) is unlikely to leave (on deadline day) for Leeds,” explains Manuel Veth, a reporter well-versed in the American and German markets.
“The tendency is towards a winter transfer, according to a source. Philadelphia Union very reluctant to let their star left-back go in the middle of the season.
“Union never received an official bid. (But) my understanding is that there has been plenty of talk between all parties all the way up to today. Leeds still very much in the race.”
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