Sampdoria manager Roberto D’Aversa knows he “might lose” Mikkel Damsgaard this month amid interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Leeds United, talking to SosFanta.
Last week, director Carlo Osti insisted the Serie A club hadn’t received a single serious offer for a man who has exploded on to the scene in 2021.
And that, in itself, is a big surprise.
Damsgaard continues to be linked with a host of clubs across Europe – including Spurs, Leeds and an Aston Villa side looking to move into a post-Jack Grealish era (SampNews24).
But despite a growing catalogue of exhilarating performances, not to mention a pair of long-range wonder goals at Euro 2020, a hotly anticipated bidding war has failed to materialise.
That could soon change, however, with little more than a fortnight remaining in the transfer window.
Euro 2020 star Mikkel Damsgaard could still end up at Tottenham or Leeds
“I would like to coach him next season but I am aware I might lose him,” admits former Parma boss D’Aversa, who was recently hired to replace veteran Claudio Ranieri at Sampdoria.
“During our first meetings before the Euros, I told the president it would be hard to keep Damsgaard. On the other hand, it would help him a lot if he spent another year in Italy.”
D’Aversa coached Juventus playmaker Dejan Kulusevski during his time at Parma and believes Damsgaard would benefit from taking a leaf out of the Swede’s book.
“Dejan Kulusevski represents a prime example of how advantageous (staying at Sampdoria) could be,” the manager adds.
“He moved to Parma, where he played regularly, and his price tag ballooned up to €44 million (£37 million). I am convinced the same would happen with Damsgaard if he stayed.”
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has already indicated he won’t accept a penny less than £30 million for the baby-faced Denmark international.
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