Tottenham’s plans for the January transfer window have been thrown into uncertainty, as sporting director Fabio Paratici may follow assistant manager Matt Wells in leaving the club.
Thomas Frank has faced a difficult start to his tenure as Tottenham manager and will be hoping the new year brings fresh ideas and signings. Spurs are ending the year in poor form, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, which left them 14th in the Premier League.
Off-field developments could make matters worse. Wells officially left on Tuesday to become the head coach of Colorado Rapids. Tottenham are expected to have a busy January window, with multiple players coming and going, making Paratici’s potential departure particularly ill-timed. Reports suggest he could join Fiorentina, who are eager to secure a left-winger.
Paratici returned to Spurs in October after resigning in April 2023 due to a 30-month FIFA ban for financial irregularities. However, he may be leaving again soon, with The Sun reporting that Fiorentina have offered him a five-year contract as their new head of football. Tottenham have not yet received a formal approach from the Serie A club and would seek compensation if he departs.
His potential exit could further complicate Frank’s January plans, as Spurs struggle to persuade targets to join amid their pressing need for a left-winger.
Regarding Paratici’s possible departure, Frank’s position is reportedly under threat, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rumored as a potential replacement. Frank needs positive developments both on and off the pitch in the coming weeks, and losing Paratici could significantly disrupt his plans.
When asked about the situation ahead of the Crystal Palace match, Frank remained non-committal but expressed his desire for Paratici to stay. He stated: “I think, first and foremost, it’s not the first rumour I need to speak about. If it’s a staff director or player, in general, I’m not speaking about that. There are a lot of rumours, which I’m not really commenting on. Right now, Fabio and Johan are here, that’s what I relate to, and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
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