The agent representing midfielder Halid Djankpata has insisted Everton ‘got what they were owed’ for the player this summer after selling him to Spezia.
Stefano Antonelli has been speaking to Il Secolo XIX, relayed by Calcio Spezia, about the former Everton midfielder and how he was recommended to him by Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie.
Djankpata departed Everton on August 30th for Serie B side Spezia, bringing an end to a three-year stay at Goodison Park.
He had been with the Blues from a young age, joining their youth set up before progressing through the ranks to the U18s and U21s.
The midfielder was a regular for both, making 33 appearances for the U18s and 35 for the U21s in the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2 over the last couple of years.
He was not on the verge of breaking through into the first team, though, and so seemingly elected to depart this summer for a chance of first-team football back in Italy with Spezia in Serie B.
That move was facilitated by Antonelli and his team at the Football Service agency, who were alerted to the player by Tottenham’s Udogie.
The Tottenham man had worked with the Everton youngster in Italy’s youth setup, and was seemingly convinced.
“We received the report from Udogie more than a year ago: “Follow him” he told us,” he explained.
“We did it. We went to see him in Under 21 international matches against Benfica, Monaco and West Ham. Then in training sessions, assiduously, with the first team. When they called him to the Italian under national team, we were not at all surprised.
“We spoke with Everton, who rejected some Italian offers. Melissano, who is an excellent manager and who has great knowledge of these profiles, came in at the right time, with the right moves. So, he closed it.
“Now it just takes patience. The English have what they were owed, an investment too. But they also understood that the construction of the boy is better in Italy, without a doubt.”
