Dejan Kulusevski joining Tottenham Hotspur in a permanent transfer from Juventus is now at risk. The Sweden forward joined Spurs in an 18-month loan but he could return to Turin.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports it is no longer certain Tottenham will buy Kulusevski from the Bianconeri. The Premier League club loaned the Sweden international from Juventus last January with an obligation to buy if he and Spurs achieve set conditions.
Spurs would have to qualify for the 2023/24 Champions League campaign and field the 22-year-old in 50% of their games this season to activate their obligation to buy him for €35m (£31m). He has so far played in 16 and started in 11 of their 29 fixtures in all competitions.
But the uncertainty which now surrounds Tottenham has put Kulusevski’s long-term future with the club at risk. It is far from certain that head coach Antonio Conte will remain at the helm beyond this term. Managing director Fabio Paratici could be on the way out, as well.
Conte is only under contract until the end of the season. The Times also now reports that Tottenham and the Italian have shelved all talks over a new deal. He is keen to focus only on the club’s efforts to secure another top-four finish in the Premier League with Spurs in fifth.
Juventus expected Kulusevski to secure a permanent transfer to Tottenham
Juventus had considered it a done deal that Tottenham would turn Kulusevski’s loan into a permanent transfer. But the Serie A side’s belief that the Sweden star was as good as gone for good has now started to reduce as the grey clouds start to creep in over north London.
Tottenham losing three of their past five Premier League games has put them on the back foot for Champions League qualification. Conte’s squad have also played a further fixture than Newcastle United and Manchester United, who sit in third and fourth with 39 points.
Spurs have taken 36 points during their 21 games from 11 wins and three draws. Conte has only featured Kulusevski in 13 and started him in 11 top-flight games for two goals and five assists. The winger had to miss six games during October after suffering a hamstring injury.
He has also sat out two games in January with a small muscle problem. But he has started in Tottenham’s last three league games. Kulusevski – who Tim Sherwood calls ‘brilliant’ – also scored for the first time since the opening day of the season against Manchester City.
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