Inside Futbol

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin has arrived at Fiorentina to undergo his medical ahead of his loan move to the Serie A club.

Last season, the Lilywhites finished 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation, and responded by reinforcing their backline with new signings, including central defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.

The Romanian defender has endured a difficult spell in north London since arriving from Genoa in 2024, making just 48 appearances in all competitions.

A cruciate ligament injury sustained at the start of last year stalled his progress, and although he returned to full fitness during the second half of last season, he was unable to establish himself in a struggling Spurs side.

With the club’s summer arrivals, Dragusin is no longer viewed as part of Roberto De Zerbi’s long-term plans, having even been offered to Juventus last month.

With former Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici now overseeing operations at Fiorentina, a return to Serie A is on the cards for the Romanian, who is set to spend the season on loan with La Viola.

The agreement is structured as an initial loan, with an obligation to buy for €17.5m if the 24-year-old makes 22 appearances.

Club played for Juventus Sampdoria Salernitana Genoa Tottenham Hotspur Clubs Radu Dragusin has played for

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Dragusin has now arrived in Florence to undergo his medical examinations before completing his move to Fiorentina.

The Romania international landed in Italy on Monday evening and now has only the remaining formalities to complete before joining his new team-mates.

Like Spurs, Fiorentina endured a disappointing campaign last season, finishing 15th in Serie A, and will be hoping for a marked improvement under new head coach Fabio Grosso.

One Italian journalist believes the Tottenham defender could prove to be a transformative signing and help usher in a new chapter for the club.

The two clubs also did business last season when Fiorentina signed Manor Solomon on loan during the winter transfer window, although the winger’s asking price has since proven too steep for the Italian side to pursue a permanent deal.

Tottenham, who beat Bayern Munich and Napoli to Dragusin’s signature in 2024, will now hope the Romanian can rediscover his best form in Italy and earn a permanent move after failing to make the desired impact in north London.

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Tottenham Hotspur ‘intend to force’ the hand of Juventus on Guglielmo Vicario, with a demand for cash up front for the Italy goalkeeper.

Spurs have been extremely busy in the transfer window, having signed Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and most recently, Sandro Tonali on a deal worth £100m.

In the goalkeeper department, the Lilywhites have brought in veteran custodian Martin Dubravka on a free transfer from Burnley, with Vicario expected to leave this summer and Antonin Kinsky slot in as number 1.

At first it appeared that Vicario could join Inter Milan, but the Nerazzurri ‘dropped’ the idea to sign him due to financial constraints, and now he is expected to go to Juventus.

The Old Lady have been monitoring the Italy goalkeeper’s situation for a long time as an alternative to Emi Martinez.

Now the financial terms for Vicario increasingly make sense for Juventus, as Tottenham have opened the door to a loan move.

It is believed that Juventus are seeking a loan with an obligation to buy, which will allow them to manage their books and postpone the payment until next season.

However, Tottenham ‘intend to force’ Juventus’ hand and demand cash up front, according to Italian outlet QS (via TuttoJuve).

Spurs have slapped a €20m price tag on Vicario’s head earlier this summer and Juventus feel the chance to sign him on loan is a good opportunity.

That despite one former Serie A star warning the Old Lady that Vicario will not improve the squad.

Tottenham do not want Vicario to go without any financial benefit, but it is unclear if they want Juventus to pay a loan fee for the goalkeeper, or still have hopes of forcing a permanent deal.

In the recent campaign, Vicario made 43 appearances, conceding 65 goals, while keeping 13 clean sheets, and the Italy shot-stopper did receive significant criticism due to multiple errors between the sticks.

Vicario still has two years remaining on his current contract with Tottenham, but with manager Roberto De Zerbi working on a full overhaul this summer, he is expected to leave this summer.

It remains to be seen whether Juventus will agree to Spurs’ demands to sign Vicario, who is keen to make the move to Turin.

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin will have to make 22 appearances for Fiorentina for the obligation to buy in his loan to trigger.

It emerged on Sunday that Fiorentina have an ‘agreement in principle’ with Tottenham to sign the Romania defender, who is expected to undergo his medical and seal the deal this week.

Dragusin has fallen out of favour in north London and is well down Tottenham’s centre-back pecking order, even heading into the Roberto De Zerbi era.

His stock remains high in Serie A, where he shone for Genoa, and a return to Italy has seemed like the most logical outcome for the defender this summer.

Fiorentina will pay Tottenham a loan fee of €1.5m to take Dragusin to Italy for the season, but a contract has also been agreed and an obligation to buy clause included.

The obligation to buy clause is set at a further €17.5m, but it will not automatically trigger.

According to Italian journalist Niccolo Santi, Dragusin’s obligation to buy clause ‘will trigger’ on his 22nd appearance for Fiorentina.

Signed Martin Dubravka Jan Paul van Hecke Andrew Robertson Marcos Senesi Mateus Fernandes Tottenham’s signings so far

The Romania international is set to earn a salary of €2.8m per year at Fiorentina, meaning much will be expected of him in Florence.

Dragusin did have options and he turned down a proposal from Turkish giants Fenerbahce in order to join Fiorentina.

Dragusin suffered a bad knee injury at Tottenham which disrupted his progress and though he has firmly shrugged that off, the 22 appearances clause ensures Fiorentina will not be forced to buy him if he does not feature on a regular basis.

The defender will want to get back on track with regular first team football at Fiorentina.

Fiorentina have former Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici directing their transfer business and his links with Spurs are sure to have smoothed the path towards an agreement.

Tottenham beat off competition from Bayern Munch and Napoli to sign Dragusin, but he has not lived up to high expectations in north London.

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Sandro Tonali ‘has signed’ a six-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur, with only the official announcement of the move now remaining.

Spurs worked hard in recent weeks to deliver Tonali from Newcastle United for boss Roberto De Zerbi, who made his countryman a priority target.

De Zerbi’s good relationship with Tonali was key to the move going through, with the Italy midfielder keen to play for his fellow Italian in N17.

Newcastle’s transfer stance irritated Tottenham, who were forced to agree to a package worth £100m to take Tonali to north London.

Now though Spurs have put Tonali through his medical paces and closed in on finalising the move.

Journalist Ben Jacobs wrote on X: “Sandro Tonali has signed his six-year Spurs contract ahead of his £100m move.

“Only the official announcement pending.”

Signed Martin Dubravka Jan Paul van Hecke Andrew Robertson Marcos Senesi Mateus Fernandes Tottenham’s signings so far

Tonali will represent a club record signing for Tottenham and much will be expected from the Italian in a Spurs shirt.

He had interest from other clubs, but even with Tottenham having no European football to offer the lure of working with De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium won out.

Tonali joins Martin Dubravka, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes through the entry door in north London.

The midfielder spoke at the airport in Milan before flying over to London to put the finishing touches to the move.

Tonali said: “I’m really happy, everything is different, we’ve decided to change and we’re ready for this new adventure.”

Losing Tonali is a big blow for Newcastle and could yet be made worse if Bruno Guimaraes gets a move away from St James’ Park.

The Magpies have already lost Anthony Gordon this summer, selling the winger to Barcelona for £70m.

Despite both Newcastle and Tottenham having no European football, only one of the two are losing key assets this summer.

There will be pressure on both De Zerbi and Eddie Howe to start the new campaign well though, given both clubs’ struggles last term.