Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari has praised Tottenham for snapping up Destiny Udogie from Udinese as he believes the youngster has the attributes to reach the very top.
Udogie had a breakthrough season at Udinese last year, ending the campaign with eight goal contributions from left wing-back (Transfermarkt).
Spurs officially confirmed the signing of the 19-year-old on Tuesday and revealed that the youngster would be returning to Udinese on loan for the 2022/23 season.
According to Football.London’s Alasdair Gold, the North London club will pay an initial £15m to the Italian club for the left-back, with the fee potentially rising to £18m including add-ons.
In his first interview with Spurs TV, Udogie admitted he is honoured to join a big club like Spurs and stated that he is excited at the prospect of working with a coach of Antonio Conte’s calibre.
The youngster also expressed his intention to keep improving at the Dacia Arena over the course of the season before returning to Tottenham next summer.
Longari believes Udogie will be a big loss for Udinese and added that the youngster will benefit from being back at the Serie A club this season.
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When asked if Udinese will ‘regret’ letting a player of the teenager’s potential leave, the journalist told Calcio In Pillole: “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. The fact he is already going to Tottenham? His season at Udinese will absolutely not be affected. 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.”
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Just like with the Pape Sarr and Bryan Gil signings, there is some risk involved with Udogie’s capture, given that he has only had one good season at the top level.
However, the potential upsides of the signing are very high, and Conte must believe that the youngster has the attributes to evolve into a top left wing-back.
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