On Tuesday, Corriere dello Sport reported that Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin is pushing for a move to AS Roma.
His agent has already made his stance clear, with the Giallorossi a preferred destination over Fiorentina. That’s partly because, as explained by the agent, Dragusin is a gladiator and they belong in Rome.
More likely is that he doesn’t fancy a relegation battle with La Viola.
Roma and Tottenham have been in touch regarding a deal for over a week. So far, the Italian side are €5m away from reaching an agreement and were offering an initial loan with an option to buy the Romanian.
The centre-back’s recent knee injury was one reason Roma weren’t keen on offering a direct obligation to buy.
Today’s Corriere dello Sport notes Dragusin’s desperation to join Roma, and the ‘frenetic’ situation around the transfer.
RB Leipzig have also been linked with the 23-year-old, but that felt like an effort to pressure Roma. The claims were talked up in Italy, and then somewhat talked down in Germany.
Tottenham can likely push Roma on transfer obligation
Dragusin is applying ‘intense pressure’ on Tottenham to let him join Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
He is attracted by the Italian manager’s system and project, having impressed in Serie A with Genoa in the past. Talks are underway, with the London club wanting a total of €25m in the deal.
Gazzetta dello Sport also speak of interest from Leipzig. They go beyond that, making it clear that Roma are offering a loan with an obligation to buy if they qualify for the Champions League.
That appears to be Roma’s thing at the moment. They offered that structure to Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee. In their move for Donyell Malen, Roma have agreed to a purchase as long as they qualify for any European competition.
Dragusin is their first-choice for defence, with Gasperini making it clear that he wants new signings as soon as possible. The manager has already had a strop in recent weeks, refusing to appear at a press conference, and Roma want to avoid him blowing again.
