Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi addressed the transfer deal involving Tommaso Baldanzi after his side agreed to sell the 20 year-old to Roma for an estimated €15 million in total.
In an interview with Radio Radio, Corsi became emotional and admitted this deal was more difficult than most since Baldanzi first signed for Empoli in 2013 when he was just 10 years-old.
“I’m happy for him because he joins a big club,” he remarked. “I remember years ago against Palermo, Dybala hadn’t played that match, I approached him and told him that for me he was the new Sivori.”
“Then there’s Baldanzi: yesterday we all hugged him and bid him farewell. I’ve watched him play football since he was 10 years-old so it’s obviously going to be a painful separation.”
“He has room for improvement both from a physical and tactical point of view, my hope is that he will have an important career, he has given us trophies and the championship at youth level having been named the best Primavera player three years ago.”
“He’s still not 100% fit, and that’s why his performance against Juventus was so extraordinary. It was time for us to part ways,” he added.
