Key Points
- Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly open to selling defender Radu Drăgușin for around £26 million, a figure close to the fee they paid to acquire him including add-ons.
- Drăgușin has been plagued by injuries, limiting his playing time and contributions since joining from Genoa in January 2024.
- Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb reports a “very likely” return to Italy for Drăgușin, with Serie A clubs showing interest ahead of the January transfer window.
- Tottenham’s poor form under manager Thomas Frank—currently 14th in the Premier League—has intensified pressure, with a chaotic 5-1 defeat to Liverpool highlighting defensive frailties, including red cards to Cristian Romero and an earlier sending-off involving Xavi Simons.
- Spurs sit just four points off the top six but face a crucial second half of the season, with plans to invest heavily in an attacker during January.
- Drăgușin was signed as cover for key defenders but has struggled with a long road to recovery, making him a candidate for an exit to streamline the squad.
Who Is Radu Drăgușin and Why Might Tottenham Sell Him?
Radu Drăgușin, the 23-year-old Romanian international, arrived at Tottenham in January 2024 as a long-term investment to shore up their defence. However, injuries have derailed his progress, leaving him on a “long road to recovery,” as noted by Jamie Kemble in LondonWorld. Drăgușin was brought in primarily as backup for stars like Romero and Micky van de Ven, but his limited appearances—fewer than 10 across all competitions—have raised questions about his fit in Ange Postecoglou’s successor Thomas Frank’s system.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb’s exclusive coverage titled “Riecco Drăgușin, il rientro in Italia è sempre più probabile: le ipotesi per gennaio,” the player is “very likely to leave Tottenham,” with the £26 million (€31 million) price tag reflecting Spurs’ desire to recoup most of their outlay. The Italian site outlines potential Serie A destinations, though specifics remain unconfirmed, fuelling transfer chatter in Italy where Drăgușin thrived at Genoa and earlier at Juventus.
Jamie Kemble of LondonWorld elaborates that Tottenham view Drăgușin as expendable amid a squad overhaul, stating: “Spurs have a big second half of the season, and it’s one that could define whether Thomas Frank has a long-term future at the club.” With Drăgușin’s contract running until 2028, Spurs hold strong negotiating power, but his injury history—missing chunks of the 2024-25 campaign—makes a sale pragmatic.
How Has Tottenham’s Form Contributed to Transfer Speculation?
Tottenham’s slide down the table has amplified scrutiny on Frank, who took over in the summer amid high expectations. LondonWorld reports that the
“Dane has come under pressure, with Tottenham’s fast start wearing off just as quickly to leave them in 14th place heading into Christmas.”
Despite being only four points adrift of the top six, their “chaotic defeat to Liverpool last weekend did not help ease the pressure,” with two red cards exposing defensive disarray.
As Jamie Kemble writes in LondonWorld:
“Captain Cristian Romero lost his head to get a red card late on, adding to a overstretching challenge from Xavi Simons earlier in the game.”
This meltdown underscores why Tottenham need to “cut ties” with underperforming or unavailable assets like Drăgușin, freeing funds and wages for fresh blood.
Frank is “expected to lead Tottenham back to European qualification this season,” per LondonWorld, but consistency has eluded them. The January window looms as “vital,” with “all indications suggest[ing] there will be a big pot of money allocated to the signing of an attacker to add much-needed quality to the front line.” Drăgușin’s potential exit fits this strategy, balancing the books while addressing Serie A advances.
What Interest Exists from Serie A Clubs?
Italian media have been abuzz with Drăgușin’s prospects. TuttoMercatoWeb asserts:
“Drăgușin is very likely to leave Tottenham and that the asking price would be somewhere in the region of £26million, which is just a touch under the amount Spurs paid when add-ons are accounted for.”
The outlet speculates on “ipotesi per gennaio” (hypotheses for January), hinting at clubs familiar with Drăgușin from his stints at Hellas Verona (on loan from Juventus) and Genoa.
While no specific teams are named in the primary reports, the “interest” from Serie A aligns with Drăgușin’s pedigree—52 appearances for Genoa, where he impressed enough for Tottenham’s £21.5 million base fee plus add-ons. LondonWorld corroborates this buzz, noting Tottenham are “considering a sale involving a player who has been on a long road to recovery,” potentially welcoming Italian suitors who value his potential despite injury setbacks.
Drăgușin himself has remained silent, but his agents are reportedly fielding enquiries, per TuttoMercatoWeb. This could see him return to a league where he netted six goals in 40 games for Genoa, rebuilding his career away from North London’s pressures.
What Are Tottenham’s Broader January Plans?
Beyond Drăgușin, Tottenham eye significant incomings. Jamie Kemble of LondonWorld highlights: “It remains to be seen whether there will be exits, but… Radu Drăgușin could be on his way out of the club in the near future.” The club anticipates “a big pot of money” for an attacker, addressing their blunt attack amid a 14th-place rut.
Thomas Frank faces make-or-break months, with European spots tantalisingly close. Romero’s suspension and Simons’ ban exacerbate squad depth issues, making Drăgușin’s sale—even at £26 million—a calculated risk. Spurs’ hierarchy, per aggregated reports, prioritises financial prudence post their summer spending spree.
Could This Deal Benefit All Parties?
A Drăgușin exit offers mutual gains. For Tottenham, it recoups investment, funds targets, and trims a bloated defence. Serie A clubs gain a high-upside talent at a reasonable fee, while Drăgușin secures minutes to revive his career. As LondonWorld and TuttoMercatoWeb converge, the transfer’s feasibility hinges on bids materialising by late January.
