Agent reveals Italy coach Spalletti is keeping tabs on Fiorentina's dual-national defender Kayode 

Andrea Ritorni, who is the agent of Michael Kayode, has revealed that manager Luciano Spalletti is monitoring the progress of the Fiorentina defender with a view to a call-up to the Italian national team. 

Kayode is one of the two players of Nigerian descent on the radar of Italy's scouting team before next month's UEFA League matches against France and Israel, with Burnley's quad-national forward Luca Koleosho also a player of interest.

The Italian Football Federation have cap-tied Tottenham Hotspur fullback Destiny Udogie and Napoli midfielder Michael Folorunsho.

Kayode is provisionally cap-tied to the four-time world champions and was an influential member of the Italy squad that won the 2023 European U19 Championship, netting the game-winning goal in the showpiece with Portugal. 

The 19-year-old has seen his stock rise since the tournament in Malta, as he has established himself as a key player for Fiorentina,making 37 appearances in all competitions over the course of last season. 

After a breakout campaign with Fiorentina in 2023-2024, Ritorni expects his client Kayode to earn his first call-up to Gli Azzurri in the forthcoming season. 

"He is in great physical and mental shape, he has everything to have a great season in Viola," he told Sportiva, via Tuttomercatoweb.

"Spalletti and his staff will undoubtedly keep an eye on Mike too."

New Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino has experimented with Kayode in the centre-back position during preparations for the new season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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