Sport Witness

Radu Drăgușin’s agent coming out and saying that leaving Tottenham Hotspur in one of the coming windows isn’t a concrete objective for the player right now, and that trying to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s side is, didn’t do anything to dampen rumours in Italy about a possible return to Serie A.

Indeed, if anything, those rumours have grown over the past week and have moved from Napoli being continually linked with a move for the central defender, to Juventus also being dragged into the picture.

Friday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport explains Juventus are in the market for a defender and that several options have already been identified.

Juventus want to sign someone in January, given Gleison Bremer will be out injured until next season. Milan Skriniar, who is having a difficult time at PSG, is the headline option, and then the Tottenham player gets a mention.

Should Juventus struggle to get the 29-year-old from PSG then attention will turn to the 22-year-old at Spurs.

There’s a plan being formulated to take Drăgușin on loan, with no further details on any options involved in that.

Should Tottenham see a long term future then Drăgușin then it’s likely best keeping him, if not there’s an outlet opening up for them to either revalue him ahead of a summer sale or push straight through for a January permanent exit.

It’s now been close to a year since Radu Drăgușin joined Tottenham Hotspur from Genoa.

He hasn’t managed to break into the first-team as a regular and there’s been talk of an early exit from Tottenham, if things don’t change.

It now seems as if there isn’t just the lingering threat of losing Drăgușin that Spurs have to deal with. They could also end up missing out on Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu, who is reportedly very much liked by the Premier League giants.

Rai Sport’s transfer market expert Paolo Paganini spoke to Rai 2 yesterday and he revealed some details of Napoli’s interest in both Drăgușin and Dorgu.

He said, as relayed by CalcioNapoli24: “Be careful because Napoli is ready to make a double move in January. One is Dorgu from Lecce and the other is Drăgușin from the Premier League.”

Drăgușin started for Spurs against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup yesterday and the game also saw Micky van de Ven pick up a muscle injury.

This could lead to the Romanian playing more regularly in the next few weeks and could change his outlook at Tottenham.

As for Dorgu, there now seems to be a host of clubs keeping an eye on the Denmark international and if Spurs want to sign him, they would have to act fast.

Bryan Gil failed to enjoy regular minutes under Ange Postecoglou last season, and this saw Tottenham Hotspur send him out on loan to Girona in the summer window.

The winger enjoyed a good start and scored in their 4-0 win over CA Osasuna last month. That has been his only goal for Girona. The Spanish press had praised his performances and even stated he ‘regained his smile’ away from Tottenham.

Gil’s displays for the La Liga side saw him get a call up from Spain for October’s fixtures. He was forced to withdraw due to an injury and hasn’t featured for Girona since coming off the bench in their 2-1 win over Athletic before the international break.

Wednesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo claims the Tottenham owned player will return to action after almost a month on the sidelines.

Girona will take on Extremadura UD in the Copa del Rey later today and the Spurs man is in contention to feature in this clash. This is certainly good news for the Premier League side as Gil needs to play regularly, in order to impress for the Spanish club.

Gil’s contract at Spurs lasts until 2026, meaning Postecoglou’s side will have to make a decision on his future next summer.

On October 8th, we covered claims from Italy which stated Tottenham Hotspur didn’t go ahead with the deal for Patrick Dorgu when US Lecce demanded €30-35m in the summer window.

Two weeks ago, the 20-year-old signed a new deal until 2029. The Italian media have said the contract renewal won’t stop Tottenham from chasing him.

On October 20th, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tottenham are in pole position to sign Dorgu. It was also stated the Serie A side are ready to sell him to make profit. As well as Spurs, Napoli are another club keen on signing him. Last weekend, Dorgu was on the pitch for 90 minutes in his side’s defeat to the Naples club. After the tie, Antonio Conte was picture whispering into the Tottenham target ears.

According to Il Mattino, relayed by CalcioNapoli24, this could open the door for a potential approach from Napoli in January. Their sporting director, Giovanni Manna, had already asked Lecce about the fullback turned winger in the summer window.

It’s claimed the former Tottenham manager seems to be now leading Napoli’s pursuit of the versatile player. Ange Postecoglou’s side may have to fight with Conte and his side for Dorgu’s signature.

Il Mattino state his asking price could be €15m in the winter market, while earlier claims have talked about a Lecce wanting at least €30m.

Tottenham Hotspur sold Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis in the summer window. As a part of the deal, the Premier League side have secured an agreement with the Spanish club to buy Johnny Cardoso next summer.

Last month, Real Betis president Ángel Haro revealed Tottenham have a clause to buy the midfielder. He also said Spurs will receive a percentage if the La Liga side were to sell him to another club.

At the weekend, the American starred in his side’s 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid. Tuesday’s edition of ABC Sevilla looks at his performance and talks about his future. It’s claimed the 23-year-old’s ‘future points to’ Tottenham, who have an option to buy him for €25m next summer. The newspaper adds the north London club have to execute this around the end of June.

If Ange Postecoglou’s side don’t exercise the clause between the stipulated period, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can sell him to another club.

ABC Sevilla state Real Betis ‘consider Tottenham taking Cardoso’ as a certainty through the agreement secured. If this happens, the report says the Andalusian club will be able to make profit of €15.2m.

Tottenham Hotspur sold Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis in the summer window. As a part of the deal, the Premier League side have secured an agreement with the Spanish club to buy Johnny Cardoso next summer.

Last month, Real Betis president Ángel Haro revealed Tottenham have a clause to buy the midfielder. He also said Spurs will receive a percentage if the La Liga side were to sell him to another club.

At the weekend, the American starred in his side’s 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid. Tuesday’s edition of ABC Sevilla looks at his performance and talks about his future.

It’s claimed the 23-year-old’s ‘future points to’ Tottenham, who have an option to buy him for €25m next summer. The newspaper adds the north London club have to execute this around the end of June.

If Ange Postecoglou’s side don’t exercise the clause between the stipulated period, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can sell him to another club.

ABC Sevilla state Real Betis ‘consider Tottenham taking Cardoso’ as a certainty through the agreement secured. If this happens, the report says the Andalusian club will be able to make profit of €15.2m.

Tottenham Hotspur have seen Dejan Kulusevski impress this season, as he continues to play in an attacking midfield role

While Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered a loss to Crystal Palace at the weekend and are currently eighth, Kulusevski is having a good start to the season and has arguably been Tottenham’s best player so far.

The arrival from Juventus has settled into life in London but there is now a suggestion that he could return to Italy as early as January.

JuveLive have reported on the Spurs star, saying that his performances have caught the attention of AC Milan. The Rossoneri see Kulusevski as a potential replacement for Rafael Leao, whose future is uncertain and whose departure will hand Milan with some funds to use for the Tottenham star.

Kulusevski is ‘in the sights’ of the Diavolo, largely due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ‘obsession’ for him that dates back to his younger years. This admiration for the midfielder could lead to Milan making a move for him.

The report mentions that AC Milan value the Swede at around €50m, which is likely to be way too low.

Over the past few weeks, claims from Italy have discussed Tottenham Hotspur’s Radu Drăgușin as an option for Napoli in January.

Last week, his former coach at Juventus, Roberto Baronio, said it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 22-year-old were to join the Naples club.

The defender snubbed the Serie A side and Bayern Munich to join Tottenham from Genoa in January.

Journalist Niccolò Ceccarini, writing in his column for TuttoMercatoWeb, points this out and shares the latest on the centre-back. His decision to join Spurs hasn’t worked out well for him.

The Romania international made nine Premier League appearances in the second half of last season. He clocked in less than 300 minutes from five matches for Tottenham this season.

Ceccarini claims Drăgușin could be an ‘opportunity’ for Antonio Conte’s side, who are looking to further bolster their defence. At this moment in time, the former Juve man is an idea but can become a ‘concrete hypothesis’ in the coming weeks.

The journalist adds ‘everything will depend’ on Tottenham’s plans, meaning they’ll have a final say on a potential January transfer.

It’ll be ‘essential to understand’ if Ange Postecoglou’s side are ready to let Drăgușin leave, and the formula needed to carry out the deal.

Troy Parrott has gone through the process of being a big hope in the Tottenham Hotspur system to working hard to make a name for himself elsewhere.

In the summer, he joined AZ Alkmaar permanently and has managed to make a mark in the Netherlands.

The 22-year-old has five league goals so far, and later today he will come up against Tottenham in the Europa League in what could well be an emotional game for the Irishman.

Ahead of the clash, Parrot has spoken to De Telegraaf about his time at Spurs, and he has no bitterness whatsoever about his exit.

He said: “Spurs is such a big club. I have been given a few chances to play for them and I am proud of that.”

Parrott stated that he is now living his own journey and has praised Tottenham for always taking good care of young players.

“You know: Spurs is a good club, they have always taken good care of me. They want to develop young players and deliver them to the first team. That is incredibly difficult, because the club is in the top 5 of the Premier League.

“I actually have nothing bad to say about the club. It wasn’t meant to be that I broke through there. Now my own journey has begun . I’m on my own journey.”

The Ireland international gave his thoughts about the Europa League game today, revealing that some of his family members will be at the game and that it will be a big evening for AZ players.

“There are also some family members and friends living in London coming to the match, so it is a special match in many ways.

“Look, there are a few world-class players there, it’s not going to be easy. But for me and my fellow players it’s an exciting and beautiful evening. It’s an opportunity to show what we can do against such a big team.”

Parrott has already opened his account in Europe for AZ, finding the back of the net against Elfsborg some weeks ago.

Scoring against Tottenham will be a massive moment in his young career and it could set the tone for him to have a really good campaign.

Radu Drăgușin was linked with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, but no deal took shape.

Napoli were said to be one of the interested parties. Recent claims have stated the Serie A side are looking at the possibility of securing his services in 2025.

On Tuesday, Drăgușin’s agent Florin Manea ruled out the option of the centre-back leaving Tottenham in the winter market. He insisted the 22-year-old isn’t interested in leaving Spurs.

That hasn’t stopped the Italian media from discussing the possibility of the former Genoa man returning to Serie A. Sampdoria assistant manager Roberto Baronio, speaking to Kiss Kiss Napoli’s Radio Goal, talked about the Romania international as an option for Napoli. His comments are relayed by Area Napoli.

Baronio knows the player from his time at Juventus, where he was the assistant manager. The Italian insists it wouldn’t shock him if Drăgușin were to join Antonio Conte’s side.

“Drăgușin at Napoli? It wouldn’t surprise me. He did very well in Italy, he was confirmed at Genoa, if he arrived at Napoli he would compete for the starting place. I coached him for a while, and I know him very well,” he said.

The Romanian arrived at the north London club from Genoa in January. Ange Postecoglou hasn’t relied upon him regularly at Tottenham. He’s clocked in 620 minutes from 13 games, of which 196 minutes are from this season.