Lecce sporting director Mauro Meluso has been interviewed by local newspaper Quotidiano di Puglia this week, mostly to talk about the club’s transfers.
In order to make clear the plans the board has, the outlet asked many questions about the signings and departures the Italian side have sorted and will sort in the January transfer window.
And to open the chat, the subject was Panagiotis Tachtsidis. Signed on a loan deal from Nottingham Forest until the end of the season, the Greek international is considered to be the biggest transfer Lecce have made for the season.
Meluso explained the situation, and claimed that Tachtidis actually wasn’t in Lecce’s initial plans, but the club ended up being convinced as the conversations developed.
“Let’s say it was born in this way because it was not our intention to take a player with those characteristics,” Meluso told Quotidiano di Puglia. “But the meetings also serve to change your mind: at the end of a careful analysis made with the owners and with the coach we thought it was useful to bring to Lecce another regista.“I learned of Tachtsidis’ desire to return to Italy and I wondered why he didn’t play at Nottingham Forest despite having great qualities. Then I took the plane to go and check the situation in person and in training I saw a whole, healthy player and with a mad desire to play. We talked about it in the evening at dinner, the boy immediately gave me his availability and the following day I went to see him at work and he further convinced me.
“At that point, we moved with his agent and the rest is recent history. If he manages to give at least 50 percent of what his potential is, but I am convinced that he will succeed in giving a lot more, for us Tachtsidis will be an added value.”
Considering these quotes, it sounds like Lecce will really expect a lot from the Nottingham Forest owned player.
