Tottenham ‘forcefully enter’ race for director – Daniel Levy holds meeting

Tottenham Hotspur have dramatically intensified efforts to reunite with former sporting director Fabio Paratici, with chairman Daniel Levy personally leading negotiations to secure the Italian’s return.

The development comes as a potential blow to AC Milan, who until now had been considered frontrunners for Paratici’s signature as they seek to overhaul their own football operations.

The 52-year-old executive, who previously worked alongside Antonio Conte during his tenure at Spurs, left an undeniable mark on Tottenham’s recruitment strategy before his departure.

His eye for Serie A talent brought the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski, and Guglielmo Vicario to North London – all of whom have established themselves as key contributors under successive managers.

Despite currently serving a ban from Italian football that limits his official capacity, Paratici has remained involved with Tottenham in an advisory role, maintaining influence over their transfer strategy.

Levy’s recent face-to-face meeting with Paratici signals Tottenham’s serious intent to reintegrate him into a more formal position once his suspension concludes.

Club sources suggest Spurs are preparing a concrete offer that would see Paratici resume control of their recruitment operations, with the hierarchy particularly impressed by his ability to identify players capable of adapting quickly to Premier League demands.

The proposed deal reportedly includes a strict deadline for Paratici to make his decision, indicating Tottenham’s desire for swift resolution as they plan their summer transfer activity.

This aggressive approach has complicated matters for AC Milan, who find themselves in a state of flux both on and off the pitch. The Rossoneri had identified Paratici as their primary target to stabilize a sporting director position that has lacked direction, while manager Sergio Conceição’s future remains uncertain despite only recently taking charge.

Milan’s chaotic season and ongoing structural uncertainty may now work in Tottenham’s favor as they attempt to lure Paratici back to familiar surroundings.

For Spurs, securing Paratici’s services would represent a major coup as they look to build on last season’s progress under Ange Postecoglou. His proven track record of unearthing Serie A gems could prove invaluable as Tottenham seek to strengthen their squad while navigating financial fair play constraints.

The coming days will prove decisive in what has rapidly become one of the more intriguing behind-the-scenes battles of the summer, with two European heavyweights vying for the services of one of football’s most respected talent spotters.