BREAKING: Tottenham now close to hiring 52-year-old after result of meeting abroad

Former Tottenham Hotspur managing director of football Fabio Paratici is reportedly on course for a dramatic return to North London this summer, according to Corriere della Sera via Sport Witness. The 52-year-old Italian, who left Spurs in April 2023, is believed to be edging closer to rejoining the club in an official capacity after serving an 18-month ban from football-related activities.

Despite AC Milan’s long-standing admiration for Paratici and recent efforts to bring him to San Siro, the Italian executive is now leaning toward a return to Tottenham. Milan had reportedly held face-to-face meetings with Paratici in Italy in a bid to make him their new sporting director. However, sources suggest that he felt “somewhat messed around” during the process and is unsure whether the entire Milan hierarchy truly supports his appointment. That uncertainty has opened the door for a Spurs reunion.

Paratici’s suspension stemmed from financial irregularities dating back to his time at Juventus, and although he initially received a 30-month ban, it was reduced on appeal to 18 months. His resignation from Tottenham followed shortly after he lost that appeal. However, despite stepping away from his official duties, Paratici never fully distanced himself from the club.

Throughout his ban, Paratici has maintained a behind-the-scenes presence at Tottenham, reportedly working in a consultancy role and regularly attending matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He is said to enjoy a close working relationship with club chairman Daniel Levy, who values his footballing insight and player recruitment acumen.

During his time as Spurs’ football director, Paratici played a crucial role in shaping the squad. He was responsible for bringing in key signings such as Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro, and Destiny Udogie. He also oversaw the appointment of former manager Antonio Conte, under whom Spurs returned to the Champions League.

Now, as his suspension comes to an end this summer, Paratici is expected to officially re-enter the footballing world. With AC Milan no longer a certainty, Tottenham appear poised to capitalize on his availability and reintegrate him into their football operations setup. A return to Hotspur Way would not only reunite Paratici with Levy but also allow him to continue the project he began in North London.

The move could be seen as part of Spurs’ broader strategy to strengthen their footballing infrastructure as they aim to build on recent progress under head coach Ange Postecoglou. Paratici’s knowledge of the European market and experience in high-level football operations could once again prove valuable as the club looks to reinforce the squad and challenge for silverware.