Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to cut their losses on defender Radu Dragusin, with the club said to be willing to sanction his exit during the January transfer window. The Romanian centre-back has attracted firm interest from Serie A side Roma, who have lodged an offer to take the player on loan with an option to buy.
Transfer Details and Spurs' Stance
According to reports from Italy, Roma have proposed a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent for a fee of around £21.6 million. This figure falls short of the £26.7 million Tottenham paid to sign Dragusin from Genoa in 2024. There is speculation that Roma may be persuaded to turn the option into an obligation to buy in order to secure the deal. Tottenham's willingness to sell is tempered by their need to find a replacement, particularly following a serious injury to midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, which is why the club is said to be holding out until the latter stages of the window.
A Disappointing Spell in North London
Dragusin's time at Tottenham has been largely underwhelming, marked by difficulties adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. His situation has not been helped by a nine-month injury layoff and spells playing in an inexperienced, injury-ravaged defence. His performances have drawn criticism from pundits and former players alike.
Following a costly error in a North London derby against Arsenal last season, former Spurs defender Graham Roberts labelled his defending at a corner as "pathetic," noting that Dragusin "didn't even look at the ball". Similarly, after a mistake led to a goal against Fulham, Tim Sherwood highlighted his poor decision to step up and play offside, while acknowledging the absence of the injured Micky van de Ven.
Spurs' Broader January Window Context
The potential departure of Dragusin comes during a turbulent period for the club. Manager Thomas Frank is under significant pressure with Tottenham languishing in the bottom half of the table and out of the FA Cup. The squad is grappling with a severe injury crisis, with key players like Mohammed Kudus and the recently injured Richarlison joining Bentancur on the sidelines.
In response, Spurs are active in the market, with Conor Gallagher expected to arrive from Atletico Madrid. The sale of Brennan Johnson earlier in the window is now viewed with regret, underscoring the need for successful recruitment this month. The possible exit of Radu Dragusin represents another step in the club's attempts to reshape a struggling squad.
