Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with former Juventus defender Radu Dragusin and his agent admits there is ‘serious interest’ from the Premier League’s big-hitters with Arsenal potentially among them, speaking to Romanian publication Sport.
By featuring during Genoa’s 2-1 win at Benevento over the weekend, Dragusin triggered the £5 million purchase clause in his contract. As such, bringing an end to five-years contracted to crisis-hit Serie A giants Juventus.
How long he stays a Genoa player, however, is anyone’s guess.
With Serie B News reporting that the 20-year-old centre-half has admirers behind the scenes at Tottenham, Il Grifone may be tempted to make an immediate profit a ball-playing, typically modern defender who idolises one Virgil van Dijk.
“There is serious interest from England in him,” explains Florin Manea, Dragusin’s representative.
Tottenham like Radu Dragusin but could Arsenal make a move too?
Manea believes that a move to the Premier League can wait for the time being, however; Dragusin in need of regular first-team football and some long-awaited consistency following a series of short-term loan spells.
Interestingly, Manea seems to indicate that, in addition to Tottenham, Dragusin also has admirers at Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
“He’s only been at Genoa for six months,” the agent adds. “Our plan is to let him play there for at least a year. We want him to play for a another year in Serie A, and then we think he’ll be ready for any top club in the world.
“The top five clubs in England are seriously watching him. But, for now, he’s doing very well at Genoa.”
Dragusin, capped three times by Romania, is not a new name on Spurs’ radar. The London giants have been watching the 2021 Coppa Italia winner for some time, Manea claiming that Dragusin was ‘wanted’ by Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United during a previous transfer window.
“My brother called me,” the agent recalls (TMW). “And told me there’s a good young player (in Romania). I sent him to see with his own eyes. He confirmed that initial impression by telling me he is a star, so I quickly reported to Juventus.
“After about an hour, Matteo Tognozzi, Juventus’ chief scout, called me to say that Radu impressed everyone. Other teams were interested too. But the Bianconeri really wanted him.
“He asked me, ‘Where can I become a great central defender?’. Chelsea wanted him too, but that’s why he chose Juventus.”
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