Genoa CEO Andres Blazquez appears to have opened the door for Djed Spence to make a £9 million permanent move to the Serie A outfit after joining on loan from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.
While Radu Dragusin is yet to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI – his three appearances so far coming from the bench – Djed Spence has already started more league games (three) in Genoa colours than he managed in the last 18 months at Tottenham Hotspur.
The right-back, signed on a loan-to-buy deal in January with Dragusin moving in the other direction, has wasted no time in establishing himself on Alberto Gilardino’s team sheet.
Bright start for Tottenham Hotspur loanee in Italy
Spence was singled out for praise after an impressive Serie A debut against Salernitana, and came close to opening his Genoa account during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Empoli.
And Blazquez, who finally got his mitts on the former Middlesbrough man at the second time of asking, has indicated that Genoa may look to trigger the 10 million euro option-to-buy clause in his contract with Spence a signing not just for the present but for the ‘future’ too.
“Spence arrived, a player we had (also) looked for in the summer,” Blazquez tells Tuttomercatoweb. “The cost was prohibitive at the time. In the negotiation with Tottenham, we managed to get an important price with them keeping the buy-back option interesting.
“He will learn over time how to play, both in defence and attack. He will give us satisfaction. He’s a wonderful boy.
“And I believe that, if he feels good here, he will be an important acquisition also for the future of Genoa.”
Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin exchange clubs
Spence, who earned that £20 million move to Tottenham after shining during a previous loan spell at Nottingham Forest, struggled to force his way into the Leeds United XI in a far less-impressive stint in England’s second tier at the start of the current campaign.
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