Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici has broken his silence on the AC Milan deal that never was — revealing he had a verbal agreement in place not once but twice before it collapsed at the last moment.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Paratici was blunt.
"We weren't in negotiations. We'd closed the deal. Twice in the space of fifteen days, all that was missing was a signature.
"Then they told me it wasn't happening."
The episode dates from last summer, when Milan were searching for a sporting director before eventually appointing Igli Tare. Paratici's ban — handed down for his role in the Juventus transfer valuation case — was due to expire on July 20, making timing a key factor.
Speculation has long swirled about the role of Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta, a long-time colleague and mentor of Paratici, in the deal falling through.
Paratici chose his words carefully.
"Did Marotta have anything to do with it? I don't know, I don't think so, he denied it."
He paused on what he could have said if he had called.
"I certainly didn't call him — what could I say? It's water under the bridge. My history is Florence."
Then came the punchline.
Despite the intrigue, Paratici insists his relationship with Marotta is something he values rather than resents. He credits the Inter president with shaping him as a professional — down to the clothes he wears.
"He hired me at Sampdoria as head of scouting the day after I stopped playing," Paratici said. "I continued walking around like a footballer — sweatshirt, sneakers and so on."
"Until Beppe told me that you wear a jacket and tie to the office. And when you deal with players too."
On his ban, Paratici was direct. "I don't feel guilty of anything. It was a very difficult experience — the criminal investigation lasted five and a half years. I was convicted for a technical and financial strategy involving players including Rovella, Orsolini and Spinazzola. An unprecedented accounting principle was applied, which I'm still waiting to review properly."
Florence, for now, is his focus. Paratici signed a long-term contract with Fiorentina and has his eye on building something lasting at the Viola Park.