“Not feeling Loved”- Radu Dragusin makes Tottenham exit decision known after Europa League horror show
Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin has reportedly made a decision regarding his future with the North London club, as speculation grows over a potential January exit due to his limited playing time this season. The Romanian international, who was signed for £20.8 million from Genoa during the 2023-24 season, has struggled to break into the starting lineup, having made only three starts across all competitions so far. Notably, just one of those starts came in the Premier League.
Dragusin’s difficulties on the pitch were highlighted during Tottenham’s Europa League opener against Qarabag, where the 22-year-old endured a nightmare evening. After only seven minutes, he was sent off for a last-man foul, leaving his team to battle with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Since then, he has found opportunities hard to come by. His most recent start came in a full 90-minute appearance against Newcastle United in early September. However, since then, Dragusin has managed only nine minutes in the Premier League and has been an unused substitute in Tottenham’s recent fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United.
Despite signing a lengthy six-and-a-half-year contract when he joined Tottenham, which ties him to the club until 2030, Dragusin faces stiff competition for a starting spot. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are the clear first-choice center-back pairing for head coach Ange Postecoglou, leaving Dragusin to watch from the sidelines more often than not.
Before his move to Tottenham was finalized, European powerhouses Bayern Munich and Napoli expressed strong interest in the Romanian defender, hoping to swoop in and hijack the deal. Napoli, under the leadership of former Spurs boss Antonio Conte, is reportedly among several Serie A clubs keen to lure Dragusin back to Italy in January. However, according to The Mirror, Dragusin has no plans to leave Tottenham mid-season, regardless of whether his playing time improves in the coming months.
The report suggests that Dragusin could see more action in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions throughout the winter. Despite his current lack of minutes, the young defender remains fully committed to Spurs and is focused on proving his worth. Dragusin, who has made 13 appearances for Tottenham since joining, recently scored for Romania during a 3-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Cyprus, showing glimpses of his potential on the international stage.
While Bayern Munich and Conte’s Napoli may continue to monitor his situation, Dragusin appears determined to fight for his place at Tottenham. His focus is reportedly on developing into the best defender he can be for the club, disregarding the persistent rumors surrounding a possible transfer.
Meanwhile, Tottenham could be looking to offload other out-of-favor defenders in January. Sergio Reguilon, the exiled left-back, failed to secure a move away from the club during the summer transfer window and remains out of favor under Postecoglou. The Spaniard is expected to explore exit options again in the winter, as he has been unable to force his way back into the first-team setup. Additionally, long-serving Welsh defender Ben Davies, whose contract expires in 2025, could also face an uncertain future. Although Davies is likely to remain with the club until the summer, his situation may evolve depending on Tottenham’s defensive needs and potential signings.
As Dragusin looks to earn more minutes and prove his value, Tottenham’s defensive setup remains in flux. While Romero and Van de Ven hold down the starting spots, the upcoming Europa League and domestic cup ties may offer Dragusin the chance to shine and solidify his future in North London. For now, he remains focused on the task at hand, hoping to overcome his early-season struggles and make a lasting impact at the club.