Football Italia

Roma are stepping up their efforts to land Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin as the January window gathers pace.

The Giallorossi are understood to have reopened talks in recent hours, as per DiMarzio, with fresh contacts aimed at finding common ground on the structure and figures of a potential deal.

Dragusin remains high on Roma’s shortlist as they look to reinforce their defensive options for the second half of the season.

Dragusin returns from injury as Roma push for Spurs man

The Romanian centre-back only recently returned to Tottenham’s matchday squads at the end of December, following an eleven-month absence caused by a serious cruciate ligament injury.

His comeback has naturally prompted interest from clubs monitoring his situation, with Roma pushing hardest to bring him back to Serie A.

Dragusin’s profile is well known in Italy after spells with Juventus and Genoa, and Roma believe his physicality and familiarity with the league would make him a valuable addition.

Discussions are ongoing, with the capital club trying to understand Tottenham’s stance and the feasibility of a January move as they look to accelerate their market plans.

Fiorentina are the latest Serie A club linked with Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin as the Viola are looking for defensive reinforcements in January.

After welcoming Manor Solomon on loan with an option to buy from Tottenham, Fiorentina have reportedly set their sights on another player in North London.

Fiorentina interested in Dragusin

According to Gazzetta, the Tuscans are interested in Dragusin, a former Genoa centre-back who has recently returned to action after a knee injury suffered in 2025.

Roma and Napoli had previously been linked with the Romania international who will likely be looking for playing time in the second part of the campaign.

Coppola remains on Fiorentina’s radar

Fiorentina are set to appoint Fabio Paratici as their new sporting director, and according to Gazzetta, Dragusin isn’t the only defender on the Tuscans’ agenda.

The pink paper claims Dennis Vavro of Wolfsburg has been offered to the Serie A side, while Diego Coppola (Brighton) and Rodrigo Becao (Fenerbahce) are listed as alternatives.

Fiorentina have reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Israeli winger Manor Solomon on loan, with the deal now pending a medical.

According to The Athletic, the winger will join the Viola on a six-month deal.

The Serie A side will have the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, as they look to reinforce their attacking options during a difficult campaign that currently sees them anchored to the bottom of the table.

Solomon’s move to Italy has been made possible after the early termination of his loan spell with Villarreal. The 26-year-old featured six times in LaLiga for the Yellow Submarine, scoring once, but has now been cleared to complete a switch to Florence.

Solomon to join Paratici in leaving Spurs for Fiorentina

The winger joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, but his time in north London was quickly derailed by a serious knee injury suffered in October of that year. The setback required surgery and ruled him out for the remainder of the season, ultimately preventing him from making another competitive appearance for Spurs.

Solomon spent last season on loan at Leeds United, where he rediscovered form and fitness, scoring 10 goals in 39 appearances and playing a key role as the club secured promotion back to the Premier League.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario says the Europa League victory in 2024-25 was the highlight of the year and his ‘entire career so far.’

Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario wrapped up his 2025 in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, where he picked the 2024-25 Europa League victory as the best moment of his career so far.

Vicario: Tottenham’s Europa League ‘the highlight of my entire career’

“Without a doubt, the Final in Bilbao. It was the highest point of my career,” said the Italy international.

“Lifting such an important trophy was incredible, and doing it with this club was even more special, given that it hadn’t happened for a few years. Being able to achieve this with this group, which I joined almost three years ago, makes me proud of the path I chose to take. Winning the Europa League isn’t just the highlight of the year, but of my entire career so far.”

Vicario joined Tottenham from Empoli in the summer of 2023 and is delighted with his spell in North London.

“I think English football has technically roughened me up a bit because it’s very physical and there’s less time to be technically beautiful, especially at set pieces, where goalkeepers are tested in almost superhuman ways in situations with contact that’s really on the edge,” he said.

“That’s the beauty of this football culture, where I’m lucky to play and grow. It’s all part of an experience that I’ll carry with me and be able to talk about. That’s also why I chose Tottenham and England. I was looking for something different, something I wasn’t used to. Over these three years, there have been changes in approach and technique, but I think it’s something that has helped me grow.”

Vicario praises Tottenham coach Frank

Tottenham hired a new coach, Thomas Frank, last summer and Vicario praised the Danish tactician: “He creates a close, personal connection with the players to make them feel like an integral part of what his football is on the pitch. He’s a very trustworthy person, a coach who is very clear, very reliable, as they say here in England, and above all, he’s someone with great human depth. That’s the first thing that stands out. Before a coach, I believe Thomas Frank is top-level as a person.”

During the same interview, Vicario also spoke about the Italy national team and his compatriot Gigio Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City from PSG last summer.

The new year will be crucial for Vicario and the national team as the Azzurri will be involved in the World Cup play-off, aiming to qualify for the competition for the first time since 2014.

Sky Sport Italia confirms that Roma are among the ‘several clubs’ interested in Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin, but it’s still unclear whether Spurs want to sell the Romania international next month.

Sky Sport confirm that Roma are interested in Tottenham centre-back Dragusin. Last week, Gazzetta dello Sport already mentioned the ex-Genoa star as a possible Roma reinforcement in the January window.

Roma chasing a centre-back in January

Sky Sport’s transfer expert Marco Demicheli said on Monday: “It’s not an easy deal, and several clubs are ready to sign Dragusin if Tottenham were to sell.”

The defender’s fitness, however, remains a question mark, given that the ex-Genoa centre-back has been out of action since January 2025 due to a knee injury.

The 23-year-old returned to the bench against Liverpool just a few days ago, on December 20.

Milan and Roma want Disasi

According to Sky Sport, Roma are also interested in Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are interested in Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin and will continue negotiations for Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid) and Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) after Christmas.

Roma are determined to strengthen their team in the January transfer window as they aim to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Roma’s strategy for Raspadori and Zirkzee

La Gazzetta reports that the Giallorossi want to sign four new players next month. Two strikers, ideally Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee, one centre-back and, perhaps, one central midfielder.

After Christmas, Roma will resume talks with Atletico Madrid directors, trying to agree on favourable conditions to bring Raspadori back to Italy.

As for Zirkzee, the Giallorossi are pushing for a loan deal with an option to buy, but Manchester United are still not entirely convinced about parting ways with the Dutchman in the winter transfer window.

Gasp an admirer of Dragusin

According to Gazzetta, Dragusin is a top target in defence. The Giallorossi consider signing the ex-Genoa and Juventus defender on loan with an option to buy.

It is reported that Gian Piero Gasperini is an admirer of Dragusin, and the Romania international is tempted to move to the capital to revive his career.

The big target in central midfield is Genoa’s Morten Frendrup. The two clubs might discuss a loan swap deal with Nicolò Pisilli, who would reunite with Daniele De Rossi, a big admirer of the promising Italian midfielder.

Fabio Paratici is ready to start again at Fiorentina, now down to the final red tape issues with Tottenham Hotspur, but the turning point was a secretive meeting in Rome last week.

The contract has been drawn up and will run for four and a half years for a return to Serie A after his Juventus experiences.

The Viola had targeted him straight away, as had become clear on Saturday morning.

Paratici met with Fiorentina in Rome

However, the two calls made in the last few hours were also accompanied by a secret meeting a few days ago in Rome.

It was a meeting in the presence of an Italian intermediary, a former agent of some strikers who in his own time had impressed in Serie B, had a brief spell as director of sport, and took on a completely different role in recent years.

Roberto Goretti was also part of the encounter, who will remain at Fiorentina in the role he had before, eager to immediately clarify his position and purview.

Paratici would’ve already come back to Italy last summer if not for Milan changing their minds due to many behind the scenes rows, eventually opting for Igli Tare instead.

According to Il Corriere della Sera Fabio Paratici has reached an agreement with Fiorentina over a five-year deal, and the Italian director is now working to terminate his contract with Tottenham.

Fabio Paratici is set to become the new Fiorentina sporting director, having reached an agreement with the Serie A side, according to Corriere della Sera.

Paratici set to terminate Tottenham contract

The report claims that Paratici has already landed in Italy and is now working to terminate his contract with Tottenham.

Paratici will sign a five-year contract at the Stadio Franchi, and his priority will be to fix the team in the January transfer window, aiming to secure survival in 2025-26 before starting a new, ambitious project with the Tuscans.

Paratici’s January transfer strategy

Corriere della Sera claims that Paratici will make at least four or five signings in the winter transfer window and that he intends to confirm Paolo Vanoli, although the coach’s long-term future will inevitably be determined by results in the coming weeks.

We can confirm that since last night there has been direct contact between Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur director Fabio Paratici, who should give a response early next week.

The Viola are rock bottom of the Serie A table and the only team without a single victory so far this season.

They are expected to completely revamp the squad in the January transfer window, but are still reeling from the dismissal of coach Stefano Pioli and resignation of director Daniele Pradé.

The club requires a strong figure at the helm, a technical director and director of sport who can deal with this very delicate situation.

Fiorentina turn to Paratici for revival

There had been suggestions Fiorentina had spoken to Cristiano Giuntoli, who was sacked by Juventus, but we never got any confirmation on that rumour.

Instead, the top target is really Paratici, who only just returned to Tottenham Hotspur on October 15.

He had already been with Spurs from 2021 to April 2023, forced to step down during his ban imposed over inflated transfer fees and profits while at Juventus.

During that time, he worked with the Premier League club only as a consultant.

Now he must figure out how difficult it would be to leave Tottenham, and is expected to give Fiorentina an answer in the first few days of next week.

Dialogue is in progress, it is still early days in these negotiations, but it is certainly a situation worth tracking carefully.

Meanwhile, tomorrow afternoon current coach Paolo Vanoli will need a win to keep his job against Udinese.

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has come under fire after his performance during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon: “Typical Vicario, always blaming someone else,” says Sky Sports’s Jamie Carragher.

It has been a few weeks to forget for Tottenham, who have slipped to 11th place in the league table and are currently six points outside the Champions League spots.

The latest disappointment came at the hands of Nottingham Forest; 16th in the Premier League after their 3-0 victory at the City Ground on Sunday.

Vicario under fire after 3-0 Tottenham loss

Vicario’s performances have been under particularly intense scrutiny over the last few weeks after his howler in a 2-1 loss against Fulham at the end of November.

Things went from bad to worse for him against Forest on Sunday. It was his risky pass to midfielder Archie Gray that led to Ibrahim Sangare pinching the ball and Callum Hudson-Odoi finishing from close range that sent Tottenham 1-0 down on Sunday.

A moment to forget for Archie Gray and Vicario 🫣

Ibrahim Sangaré brilliantly dispossesses him and plays it to Callum Hudson-Odoi to tap in and give Forest the lead! pic.twitter.com/N5JQVIgnVc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Tottenham then conceded another freak goal, again from Hudson-Odoi, who didn’t make any attempts to hide the fact that he had meant to cross rather than shoot from the left touchline.

Callum Hudson-Odoi crosses the ball in but it goes over Vicario and straight in! 😮 pic.twitter.com/hxJp4mY9T6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

“Typical Vicario, he’s always blaming someone else. Every time I see him when a goal goes in, he’s throwing his arms at someone else. Just kick it out of play,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher while reviewing the stopper’s recent performances.

"Typical Vicario, he's always blaming someone else" @Carra23 not impressed with Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario 🧤 pic.twitter.com/30X8ynUxS8

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Head coach Thomas Frank has come out in defence of his goalkeeper, arguing that there was no correlation between the goals that Vicario conceded against Nottingham Forest and Fulham over the last few weeks: “Two different situations, you can’t even compare them. Simply because the ball was out on the side in one situation, and the other was in the middle of the pitch,” he explained in frustration.

When asked if Vicario’s decision making should be called into question, Frank said: “I think Archie (Gray) did very well, this is a clear one. You see that every week: Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, all over the world: In, bounce out with the first touch. Unfortunately we took a touch and then we lost the ball.”

Some supporters have not looked as kindly on Vicario’s recent performances, though.

“Inter Milan, pls prepare your January Vicario bid,” one fan wrote on X.

“He’s a great shot stopper, but frightens me when he’s on the ball,” another added.