Football Italia

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie has revealed his ‘dream’ to play with Italy at the World Cup, after admitting ‘it was a blow’ to miss the European Championships last summer.

Udogie reveals how his football journey started

Speaking in a lengthy interview with VivoAzzurroTV, with quotes via TMW, Udogie opened by explaining how his footballing journey began: “I was at a tournament in Nogara, where I lived, and there were several scouts – from Atalanta, Milan and Hellas Verona. I remember the one from Atalanta stopped my coach and asked how old I was. He replied that I was born in 2002 and the scout didn’t believe it was because I was already a bit bigger than the other guys. My father had to show him my documents and told him I was born here in Italy – and then he believed it! [Laughs]”

Udogie’s youth career began with Hellas Verona in 2017 – where he spent four years before his move to Udinese. Udogie made just six Serie A appearances with the Veronese side before moving to Udinese on loan with an obligation to buy. After spending just one season with Udinese, Premier League side Spurs snapped up the full-back for €20 million – immediately loaning him back to the Udine side for another season.

Udogie on Europa League glory and ‘dream’ of World Cup

Spurs lifted the Europa League in 2024-25, beating fellow Premier League side Manchester United in the final in Bilbao. When asked about the victory, Udogie said “Yes, it’s my first trophy. Winning something so big is an incredible feeling because it’s every child’s dream when they start playing. When you play football, you want to represent your country, and I’ve always dreamed of playing for the national team – doing it in big stadiums in front of your fans!”

Udogie’s dream of playing for Italy on the biggest stages was brutally delayed due to an injury he suffered in his first full season with Tottenham, missing out on last summer’s European Championships where reigning champions Italy were knocked out by Switzerland in the Round of 16.

When asked how it felt to miss the EUROs, Udogie said that “It was a real blow because everything was going so well – both with Tottenham and the national team. Of course, you want to play at the Euros, it’s a major tournament and you want to be there with the squad. I had a leg problem, I had surgery and, yeah, it hurts. But I believe everything happens for a reason, so I reacted calmly and just kept going.”

Finally, Udogie was asked what it would mean to play at the World Cup: “It would be more than a dream. As a kid, you watch the TV and think ‘one day I want to be there!’ Now that I have the chance to get there, I think of it as a goal more than a dream. I really want it to happen and I want to experience it to the fullest!”

According to reports in Belgium, Inter are on the verge of securing Genoa defender Koni De Winter for €25m, as he prefers them to Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Juventus centre-back is a target for several different clubs this summer following an impressive couple of campaigns at Marassi.

Other interested parties include Bologna and Atalanta, but Tottenham and Inter have emerged as the main contenders.

De Winter leaning towards Inter

Today Nieuwsblad in Belgium insists that De Winter has made his decision and that is preferring Inter to the Premier League side.

It doesn’t mean a transfer is imminent, though, because the Nerazzurri need to sell first in order to free up space in their defence for the 23-year-old.

The cost of the operation is expected to reach €25m including add-ons, with the player agreeing personal terms for a switch to San Siro.

He is a Belgium international with three senior caps and has been in Italy since 2018 for Juventus, making the transfer to Genoa for €8m in 2024 following an initial loan.

As part of that deal, Genoa still owe Juve a 20 per cent cut of the sell-on fee.

Italian sources claim that Granit Xhaka and Yves Bissouma (Tottenham) are among Juventus’ midfield targets for the summer.

Juventus are expected to sign at least one new central midfielder, and according to Tuttosport and Gazzetta, the Bianconeri have shown interest in Swiss veteran Xhaka, who has also held talks with Milan.

Juventus target Xhaka

New Juventus director Damien Comolli is preparing to sell Douglas Luiz to finance the purchase of a new central midfielder, but there are still many candidates on his agenda.

Xhaka is only one of the latest names linked with a move to the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus’ midfield targets

The likes of Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP), Florentino (Benfica) and Bissouma of Tottenham are also reported to be among the Juventus targets.

As for Bissouma, Gazzetta says that the excellent relationship between Comolli and Spurs, one of his former clubs, could facilitate a deal for the 28-year-old midfielder who is valued between €15m and €20m.

A possible deal between Juventus and Tottenham ‘doesn’t seem impossible,’ according to Gazzetta, while the Juventus director is considering the pros and cons of signing the Spurs midfielder.

Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma, as the Bianconeri continue to look to reinforce their squad.

According to what has been reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport, via TMW, Juventus’ desire to compete for the Scudetto again has led them to the trail of Bissouma – and the relationship between Bianconeri general manager Damien Comolli and Spurs owner Daniel Levy may help get a deal over the line.

Bissouma the plan to strengthen the midfield

Bissouma has been a strong part of the Spurs set-up since signing from Brighton in June 2022 for a £25 million fee. After establishing himself a key player for the Seagulls, the North London club went on to win the race to sign the player.

Since his arrival in the English capital, the Mali international has made 79 appearances and scored two goals.

Friday’s reports claim that Real Madrid and Milan are among the clubs interested in pursuing a deal with Tottenham Hotspur for Italy international Destiny Udogie.

The 22-year-old has gained interest following a series of encouraging performances for Tottenham over the last two seasons following his move from Udinese.

However, the fact that Udogie is still under contract in North London for another five years, until the summer of 2030, Tottenham are expected to command a significant transfer fee if they are to part ways with the 12-time Italy international this summer.

Reports Milan and Madrid interested in Udogie deal

According to reports from TheBoyHotspur, Tottenham will demand a transfer fee in the region of €50m-€60m if Udogie is to be sold this summer.

That fee is likely to rule Milan out of the running, despite Friday’s reports linking the Rossoneri with a move for Udogie.

Aside from Milan, Real Madrid is the other club to have been mentioned in connection with a move for Udogie.

Los Blancos, now under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, have been monitoring Udogie for an extended period already, and it is claimed that they will make a decision on whether to submit a formal bid to Tottenham in the coming days. Udogie is not, however, the only left-back on Madrid’s list this summer.

Udine will host the 2025 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirming this could be a venue for EURO 2032.

The one-off match is played every year between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League holders.

Both will have Italian representation on the pitch from Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG and Tottenham pair Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie.

Udinese recently revamped arena

UEFA assigned the Stadio Friuli, or the Bluenergy Stadium as it is known when Serie A side Udinese are playing there, for hosting duties on Wednesday August 13.

“I am very proud to say that Italy are for the first time hosting the one-off UEFA Super Cup match and we are proud to be doing it here,” said Federation President Gravina in a press conference.

“What has been done here shows how it is fundamental to invest in the organisation of these events. We are also working on EURO 2032, hoping that Udine can be a part of that.”

Italy had originally tried to have hosting duties for the entire EURO 2032 tournament, but the difficulties in getting enough stadiums up to code saw them ultimately co-host with Turkey.

Juventus are chasing highly-rated young wingers Eliesse Ben Seghir and Mikey Moore as the club look to continue the strategy that secured them high-flying youngster Kenan Yildiz.

Ben Seghir attracts Juve interest after strong season

Reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that the Turin side are once again looking at youthful signings who they hope can be an important part of the future.

Ben Seghir is the same age as Yildiz, at 20, but has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s brightest prospects with Monaco.

The Moroccan international played 33 times for Monaco in the league last season and another ten games in the Champions League.

The winger also received a bronze medal at last summer’s Olympics as he helped his side finish third.

Juventus want ‘Moore’ like Yildiz

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Mikey Moore is another player reportedly linked to Juventus. At 17, the English starlet is considerably younger than both Ben Seghir and Yildiz. However, making his Premier League debut at 16 and featuring in Spurs’ Europa League-winning campaign, the young winger has proven his worth – and potential for the future.

Spurs have already fought off interest from the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United for Moore – yet Juventus will be hoping the lure of the Old Lady proves tempting for the 17-year-old.

There are reports in England that Tottenham Hotspur are pursuing Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, scouting him at the Under-21 European Championship.

The talent turns 21 in September and only recently signed a new contract, which runs to June 2029.

That guarantees a salary that increases year on year to reach €2m net per season.

A product of the prolific Roma youth academy and a Giallorossi supporter since childhood, it would take something remarkable to tempt him away from the Stadio Olimpico, especially with the arrival of new coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Pisilli firmly on Tottenham Hotspur radar

There are even suggestions from TEAMtalk and French transfer pundit Sebastien Vidal that Tottenham are close to an agreement with Roma to purchase Pisilli.

Italian media only points towards some vague interest, but it would be a very unpopular move to sell one of the homegrown talents.

He made 41 competitive appearances for the Giallorossi this season, contributing three goals and one assist.

The midfielder already has one senior cap for Italy and is currently being scouted by Spurs during the European Under-21 Championship.

Antonio Conte reveals the series of tragedies that prompted his return to Italy, but also when he realised Tottenham Hotspur wasn’t the club for him. ‘We were not used to celebrating Champions League qualification as it if was the Premier League title.’

The Napoli coach is fresh from winning another Serie A title with a third different club, having already achieved this with Juventus and Inter.

He also won the Premier League at Chelsea in 2017 and returned to England for Tottenham in November 2021.

It was an ill-fated experience that ended in March 2023 and he discussed it on Sky Sport Italia in the in-depth Buffa Talks interview.

“That was certainly a difficult year. I arrived at Tottenham in November with the team ninth in the table, in the first year we beat Arsenal to the Champions League spot. For Tottenham, you must understand, qualifying for the Champions League is practically the same as winning the Premier League title,” noted Conte.

“I remember at the end of the game with Norwich, there were celebrations in the dressing room. I called my staff over and told them, we’d better not get used to this sort of celebration, meaning we shouldn’t be celebrating Champions League qualification as if it was the Premier League title.

“We were accustomed to celebrating for very different things.”

Conte failed to end Tottenham losing streak

Tottenham were known for going decades without winning a major trophy, which is why Conte was brought in to break that streak.

However, a series of personal tragedies ruined the whole experience for the Italian coach, above all the sudden loss of his key assistant Giampiero Ventrone.

“I had signed a contract for a year-and-a-half, to see what situation I was getting into, but all sorts of things happened that year. Ventrone died from leukaemia that took him away in the space of 15 days. That was an incredible blow, emotionally and psychologically, because we had such a strong bond,” explained Conte.

“In the same period, Gianluca Vialli died. I’d seen him a month earlier, along with my wife at a restaurant. He seemed calm, but there was also the sense something was not right. Sinisa Mihajlovic died around then too.”

Conte pushed for return to Italy

So many deaths of friends and colleagues in his age group inevitably had an effect on Conte, especially as he had a health scare of his own.

“I started reconsidering my priorities. My family was in Italy, though my wife always made great efforts to come and stay with me as much as possible. I started to wonder how much it was really worth it, to sacrifice time with friends and family, when you could face tragedy or simply not be here, from one day to the next.

“It wasn’t a crisis, but it did make me change some of my priorities.”

Conte had surgery to get his gallbladder removed in February 2023 and defied doctor’s orders by going back to work at Tottenham too quickly, all of which fed into his decision to leave in March 2023.

“I had an emergency operation, because I risked developing pancreatitis. That year, all the things that happened, made me reflect on what priorities I should be focusing on. The passion for football made me overcome many difficulties, but we’ve got to realise at some point what we are truly prepared to sacrifice, right?”

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario insists he’ll always be grateful to ex-Italy coach Luciano Spalletti: ‘He was our leader, in good and bad times.’

Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario discussed Spalletti’s Italy exit in an interview with La Repubblica.

The 66-year-old was sacked after a 3-0 loss against Norway last week, but remained in charge for one more game against Moldova, which the Azzurri won 2-0.

Vicario grateful to Spalletti

“He’s the coach who gave me my senior debut. I’m the only goalkeeper who has managed to play four games since Donnarumma came along. I’ll always be grateful to him,” said Vicario.

“I haven’t written to him yet. I want to send him a message that truly reflects what I feel, then have a proper conversation, as people who shared a life journey through sport.

“He was our leader, in good and bad times. He fully embraced the role, and he gave us a lot. We’ll start over, with the same awareness of what he left us, both in footballing and moral terms.”

The Azzurri were disappointing in last summer’s Euros, facing elimination in the round of 16 against Switzerland. The improvements over the last year have been limited. Despite convincing wins over France and Belgium, the Azzurri suffered a brutal blow in their World Cup qualification race with a defeat against their main group rival, Norway.

“We don’t make excuses, because when you lose big games, there’s no point looking for them. You have to take responsibility,” admitted Vicario.

Vicario: ‘Epic’ Europa League for Tottenham

“That said, we entered crucial matches after a season in which each of us had played over fifty games.”

Vicario is Italy’s second-choice keeper behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, to whom he is very much attached.

“There’s a great bond. When I first joined the national team, he had already played 45 international games. Now, he’s at 74, which says everything about Gigio,” said Vicario.

“I have nothing but respect for him. I’m happy to be his sparring partner, but I’m also very competitive.”

Vicario has just won his first major trophy at Tottenham, lifting the Europa League.

“The Europa League is a major trophy. It was epic for Tottenham,” he concluded.