Leeds United have been dealt a potential blow in their bid to bring Fabiano Parisi to Elland Road in the January transfer window.
What’s the latest?
In a recent interview with Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, the Empoli left-back – who has been heavily linked with a €25m (£22m) move to the Whites in recent weeks – revealed that he is flattered by the interest currently being shown in his services, although the 22-year-old went on to suggest that he will not be leaving the Stadio Carlo Castellani this winter.
Regarding his future, the Italy international said: “I am very pleased that the great clubs are following me, but today I am concentrating only on Empoli. We will talk about the transfer market in June.”
Roberto Carlos 2.0
Considering just how impressive Parisi has been in Italy so far this season, coupled with how many problems Jesse Marsch has had to deal with at left-back since his arrival at Elland Road back in February – namely Junior Firpo’s injury troubles – it is not difficult to see why Victor Orta would be interested in a move for the 22-year-old flanker in January.
Indeed, over his 14 Serie A appearances in the current campaign, the £15m-rated talent has been in fantastic form going forwards, having already scored two goals and created one big chance, in addition to making an average of one key pass, taking 0.9 shots and completing 0.6 crosses per game.
The £3.2k-per-week full-back has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, helping Empoli keep five clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 2.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 2.3 clearances and winning 6.6 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.
These returns have seen the player who Alvaro Canibe labelled “masterful” average an impressive Sofascore match rating of 6.98, currently ranking him as Paolo Zanetti’s third-best performer in the Italian top flight.
As such, with Parisi evidently being equally as dangerous in attack as he is at the back, it is hardly surprising to learn that the Italian wonderkid bases his game on legendary Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos, with the 22-year-old revealing in his interview with TuttoMercatoWeb:
“My idol has always been [Lionel] Messi. He’s an extraordinary player, I’m a fan of his and seeing him win the World Cup made me emotional. In my role, however, I’ve always been inspired by Roberto Carlos.”
So, while Parisi’s recent comments would not appear to provide Leeds’ chances of landing his signing in January with much of a boost, it would nevertheless appear highly advisable for Orta to test the waters with a bid this winter – with the director of football potentially being rewarded with the discovery of Leeds’ very own Roberto Carlos should he be successful with an offer.
