Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, was noncommittal when asked about the club’s pursuit of Radu Dragusin, as an Italian heavyweight joined the fight for the Romanian defender.
Injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have highlighted Micky van de Venstartling lack of depth at centre back, forcing Micky van de Vento play fullbacks Ben Davies and Emerson Royal in the middle of defence.
Tottenham has identified Dragusin as a significant target, and an offer for the Genoa defender is likely soon, with the Serie A club aiming for a cost of $AUD56 million.
When asked about the possibility of a new centre back arriving in the next days, Postecoglou dodged the topic.
“It’s difficult to say because I don’t get involved in that side of it,” Postecoglou said ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup match against Burnley.
“As I mentioned before entering the window, we have some goals and objectives that we are working towards.”
“People behind the scenes and in charge of those areas are working towards that and my role within that is when I’m sought for guidance and clarity on which way we need to go, I provide that.”
Although Tottenham appear to be in the driver’s seat in their pursuit of Dragusin, a comment from the player’s agent and a story from Sky in Italy imply that a deal may not be as simple as it first appeared.
According to the source, defending Serie A champions Napoli are seeking to leapfrog Tottenham and have already submitted a cash-plus-player offer of $AUD32 million for defender Leo Ostigard.
Ostigard and Genoa are familiar with one other, having spent the second half of the 2021/22 season with the Serie A team.
It remains to be seen whether Genoa would be enticed by Napoli’s offer, but statements from Dragusin’s agent imply that neither last season’s champions nor Tottenham will stand a chance.
Dragusin‘s agent, Florin Manea, said the Romanian “is not thinking” about leaving Genoa halfway through the season and “does not want to leave” just yet.
“He does not think about money, but about prospects for growth and the team he can play for,” Manea said in an interview with Play TV.
“We were approached by Saudi Pro League clubs, but he refused to even listen to their proposals.”
“I have not been contacted by Napoli, Roma, or AC Milan.”
“In any case, Radu is not considering leaving Genoa in the middle of the season; it would be like leaving some unfinished business for him.”
“I have had contact with clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham and others, but at this moment he does not want to leave.”
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