Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is planning to hold discussions with the club about his future, following fresh interest from Serie A side Roma. The 23-year-old centre-half has recently returned from a lengthy injury but finds himself down the pecking order in North London.
Injury Return and Fierce Competition
Dragusin made his long-awaited return to action as a late substitute in Tottenham's match at Crystal Palace on Sunday. This marked his first appearance after 11 months out with a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, sustained in January. He spent time regaining match fitness with the club's Under-21s before his first-team comeback.
However, during his prolonged absence, the Romanian international has slipped in manager Thomas Frank's plans. He is now behind the first-choice pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, as well as fellow squad defender Kevin Danso. Furthermore, Croatian teenage prospect Luka Vuskovic continues to impress on loan at Hamburg, adding to the competition Dragusin will face.
Dragusin's Concerns and Tottenham's Stance
The player is reportedly worried that if he remains on the sidelines for the rest of this season, he will begin the next campaign competing with at least four other players, having played minimal football in nearly two years. His primary desire is to secure regular playing time.
His agent, Florin Manea, has informed Romanian media that while Spurs have indicated they are not keen on a loan departure, they are open to a conversation about the best path forward. This suggests the club may be more receptive to a permanent transfer as they look to reshape their squad.
Serie A Interest and Potential Deal
Dragusin remains highly regarded in Italy, where he played for Juventus and Genoa before his £27 million move to Tottenham in January 2024. Genoa made a significant £20 million profit on that sale. Now, Roma, under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, are the latest club to show concrete interest, with Chelsea's Axel Disasi also on their radar for defensive reinforcements.
Inter Milan, managed by Romanian legend Cristian Chivu, have also been linked with a move for Dragusin in the past. Tottenham's potential willingness to sell aligns with a broader club strategy acknowledged by manager Thomas Frank. He stressed the importance of being effective in the transfer market, stating that top clubs are "quite good at selling" and that this is an area Spurs need to improve.
In a related move highlighting this approach, Tottenham have accepted a £35 million offer from Crystal Palace for winger Brennan Johnson, contingent on the player agreeing to personal terms. This demonstrates a focus on moving players on while their market value is high.
