Time was running out for Fabio Paratici to appease his never-satisfied compatriot in the January transfer window.
Antonio Conte, who took the Tottenham job midway through the 2021/22 campaign, was insistent on personnel upgrades arriving in the winter. However, the market was conspiring against Paratici at an early but critical juncture in Conte's reign.
They'd pushed for Porto's Luis Díaz, only to see him move to Liverpool, as well as athletic phenom Adama Traore, who instead joined Barcelona on loan from Wolves. Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco's future World Cup star, was noted as the priority midfield target, but that deal was struggling to get off the ground.
There was a point when it seemed Conte would be left with a similar squad he inherited. Walking away wasn't the most ludicrous possibility. With his broad network failing, Paratici opted for familiarity. Calls were made to friendly faces, and Juventus' willingness to part ways with two maligned stars proved to be the Lilywhites' gain. Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur signed on Deadline Day, and the pair proved immediate hits in N17.
Paratici's hit-rate during his two years as managing director is perhaps spottier than most are willing to admit, but his expertise regarding the Italian market is second to none. More specifically, he knows Juventus like the back of his hand. While plenty has changed in Turin since his departure, Spurs' returning director doubtlessly has contacts at his old stomping ground, and supporters are desperate for the "don" to work his magic and sign the latest star out of Piedmont.
Tottenham supporters are willing Paratici to make Kenan Yıldız push
When I covered Juventus between 2020 and 2022, there had been a clear shift in transfer policy. The emphasis was on getting younger and developing the academy, and there's no denying the club's success in regards to the latter, even if they're yet to return to the summit of calcio since their tyrannical reign over Serie A came to a close at the start of the decade.
There was plenty of excitement over Nicolò Fagioli, Fabio Miretti, Matías Soulé, and Nicolò Rovella, for example, but none were deemed of the requisite quality (since proven untrue). The same cannot be said for Turkish sensation Kenan Yıldız, who enjoyed a brief spell with Juventus Next Gen before earning a first-team call-up in 2023.
At 18, Yıldız became Juve's youngest foreign goalscorer in Serie A, and after just a season of his talent sparkling, the lucrative honour of donning the club's fated No. 10 shirt was bestowed upon him. The teenager had previously signed a long-term contract extension, but this was the ultimate sign of commitment.
The Old Lady certainly hasn't got everything right in recent years, but selecting Yıldız to function as their figurehead of hope has since proven wise. Yıldız, in short, is a superstar in the making. He's who Spurs supporters are desperate for Paratici to acquire amid the newfound landscape of lofty ambition.
Yıldız's brilliance manifested amid a breakout 2024/25 season, during which he recorded 11 goal Serie A goal contributions while primarily stationed wide left for the Bianconeri. There's a lot to like about Yıldız, including his quick feet, two-footedness, directness and low socks, but it's the kid's ball-striking that has thrust his stock to soaring heights. He's an xG defier, and we like those type around here.
In fact, I don't think Son Heung-min is a bad comparison for Yıldız, who finishes with such ruthlessness off both feet. There's a growing inevitability about the end result when he works his way into certain positions, and although Michel Platini believes he can evolve into an outright No. 10, he's currently best served operating as a sharpshooter from an inside left position.
Despite Wilson Odobert's potential, left wing is regarded as a position of need for Spurs in 2026, and Yıldız is the superstar-in-waiting that'd send the fanbase into a frenzy. Well, judging by social media comment sections, anyway. However, the return of Paratici doesn't render any deal likely. Juventus aren't going to dispose of their franchise face as willingly as they did Kulusevski and Bentancur, even if they have made some rather curious decisions in the market recently.
The Italians have every right to demand as much as they please for the Turkish starlet, who adores his current home. But hey, Don Fabio may well give us a chance.