Italian football fans, on Tuesday, woke up to the news that one of the country's brightest youngsters had been snapped up by English Premier League side Tottenham
Italian football analyst Gianluigi Longari is convinced that Destiny Udogie's signing for Tottenham is not just a loss for Udinese but also the entire Serie A.
Udogie enjoyed a breakthrough season at Hellas Verona during the 2020-2021 Serie A, making six league appearances.
But the 19-year-old truly came of age last campaign, making 36 appearances while contributing five goals and four assists.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest clubs in Italy – including Juventus and Inter Milan – wanted the versatile young defender.
But Tottenham trumped them all to seal a reported €20 million move for the teenager.
It is a deal that Italian pundit Gianluigi Longari believes Serie A would regret, as he expects Udogie to explode at Tottenham.
Speaking of Udogie to the Calcio In Pillole, Longari said, “Yes, it is an important loss, which testifies once again how the Premier has other investments, as well as scouting activities.
“The difference with Serie A is the possibility of spending. Udogie is a significant loss and will certainly do very well because he has extraordinary qualities.”
“Being so young, he is an absolute predestined for the role he has to fill.”
Tottenham have agreed to let Udogie return on loan to Udinese for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season.
Longari refuses to question Udogie's commitment to Udinese. The football analyst expects the youngster to give his best again so he can arrive in London in the best possible condition.
“Udogie's season at Udinese will absolutely not be affected,” Longari said.
“Udogie is a young man who cannot afford to have his head already elsewhere. He will want to arrive at Tottenham with the credentials of being a potential starter, not only with the young man’s esteem.
“They pay 20 million plus bonuses for him, they will already have certainties about his qualities.
“Another year in Udine can only do him good,” the Italian journalist concluded.
