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By MATT BARLOW, FOOTBALL WRITER Published: 04: 12 AEDT, 22 December 2025 | Updated: 04: 12 AEDT, 22 December 2025 3 View comments Tottenham have not had an approach from Fiorentina despite strong reports in Italy claiming Fabio Paratici is poised to accept a five-year deal from the club bottom of Serie A to become their director of football. Spurs stood by Paratici, 53, through the embarrassment of a worldwide ban from FIFA for his part in a financial scandal during his time at Juventus. Paratici was sidelined two years into his role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2023, and served a 30-month ban that was initially handed out by the Italian football federation, before it was extended worldwide by FIFA. The Italian remained a visible figure in a consultancy role in North London and was reappointed as a sporting director in October when the expiry of his ban freed him to return to a formal role at the club. Spurs also have Johan Lange in a sporting director role. 'Together, Fabio and Johan will lead with purpose, ' said chief executive Vinai Venkatesham upon Paratici's reappointment. Tottenham have not yet received an approach from Fiorentina for their co-sporting director Fabio Paratici (pictured in January 2023) 'This is an evolution in how we operate. We're setting the foundations for sustained success. ' It would not look good for Venkatesham to lose Paratici two months later, and a serious blow to their transfer plans in the January market if their senior recruitment expert was to leave with the transfer window about to open. Fiorentina, cut adrift at the bottom of Serie A with only six points from their first 15 games, were at home to Udinese on Sunday. Their previous sporting director, Daniele Prade, departed the club by mutual consent last month.
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