Former Inter coach Antonio Conte and Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici were at loggerheads during their time in Serie A, the now Tottenham Hotspur manager has revealed. The duo now work in cohorts, heading Tottenham’s charge for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Conte and Paratici worked together to bring in Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from their former club Juventus in the winter.
But few years ago, they clashed over who to sign in the transfer market when they were on the opposite sides of the Derby d’Italia divide. Paratici wanted to sign Romelu Lukaku for Juventus from Manchester United, before the Belgian striker joined Inter. Apparently, he also attempted to block Conte signing Kulusevski for Inter.
In his press conference (via Evening Standard) after his side’s adrenaline-pumping 3-2 win against Manchester City, Conte was quizzed if he was surprised by Kulusevski’s debut performance, in which he scored a goal and bagged an assist.
“No, he didn’t surprise me. Because I asked for him when I was at Inter from Juventus. I opened the idea with Paratici. But he wanted to cut me out of the deal, not to reinforce Juventus, you understand, but only to damage myself!”
Antonio Conte: “Paratici signed Kulusevski at Juventus only to damage myself, as I wanted him at Inter. It’s always about the strategy”. ⚪️ #THFC
“He tried also with Lukaku, Paratici. To buy Lukaku for Juve because he knew very well that I like him and wanted him in my team”. pic.twitter.com/LhpYoov5fq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 23, 2022
He then continued to reveal the inconvenience he had to go through when he tried to negotiate with Paratici.
“Paratici also tried with Lukaku, to buy Lukaku for Juventus because he knew very well that I like him and wanted him in my team. It was the same for Kulusevski. But at that time, maybe Juventus were stronger than us in the transfer market.
Bentancur and Kulusevski are two good signings, two good prospects for the philosophy of the club. Two good players to develop. But players that are ready now. Ready to play and to help us,” he ended.