Fabio Paratici happy with Tottenham’s progress in ‘rebuild’ of squad
Paratici was last month hit with a 30-month ban but remained busy during the final days of the transfer window.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fabio Paratici has reflected positively on where Tottenham are in their current rebuilding project despite uncertainty over his own future.
The Spurs managing director was involved in a busy end to the January transfer window with top target Pedro Porro secured on an initial loan deal from Sporting Lisbon while Djed Spence departed on loan to Rennes and Matt Doherty left on a free transfer to sign for Atletico Madrid.
Arnaut Danjuma also joined Tottenham earlier in the window but those deals occurred amid the backdrop of controversy given Paratici was hit with a 30-month ban by an Italian court on January 20 relating to financial irregularities during his time at Juventus.
An announcement has not yet been made on whether Paratici has appealed the decision or if his suspension will extend beyond Italy, but it failed to stop him from helping Spurs take another step forward in their rebuild.
In an interview with SpursTV published on Wednesday, Paratici said: “We are happy we join our targets and we add two international players to our squad.
“I think we have to look not about the small picture of this transfer window but the bigger picture of our project is a long-term project.
“When I came here 18 months ago, we talked about the word rebuild of the squad to be competitive at the most highest level of the Premier League and we continue like this.
“Every transfer window we try to add two to three players, two to three pieces to our squad, to our plan.
“We want to sign players who can add something for us, not just to sign players because we have to sign players or we are under pressure to sign players. It is not our style, not our plans. We know our plans, know our philosophy and we continue with this.”
I think we have to look not about the small picture of this transfer window but the bigger picture of our project is a long-term project
Paratici expressed his appreciation to chairman Daniel Levy for helping secure the services of Porro, who will complete a permanent transfer to Tottenham in the summer for a deal worth 45million euros.
The Italian also confirmed the club hold an option to buy on Danjuma, who marked his debut with a goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Preston.
It put Tottenham through to the FA Cup fifth-round and Paratici is excited about the final months of the campaign, with a Champions League last-16 tie to come with AC Milan.
“Every season is divided into two parts in my opinion,” Paratici, who did not discuss his court case, explained.
“One part of the season arrives until March when the European competition restarts and the second part is from March until after.
“I think every big club needs to get the target to arrive in March and be in every competition, be fighting in the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
“Here we are, we play fifth round of the FA Cup, we play Champions League, we are fifth in the Premier League, so we are fighting for the Champions League spots so we did well in the first part of the season.
“I think this would have to be the target for every big team and now we are starting the most exciting period of the season.
“We play big games and just we have to be positive, looking forward and be happy, be positive, be all together to support and push the team and we will see.”