Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin has reportedly decided to remain with the club through the January transfer window, despite his lack of playing time this season, according to the Mirror. The 22-year-old Romanian centre-back, who joined Tottenham from Genoa last winter in a £26.7 million deal, was one of the club’s marquee signings at the time. His transfer came amid heavy competition from top European sides, including Bayern Munich, who had also shown significant interest in securing his signature. However, since making the move to North London, Dragusin has found it difficult to carve out a regular place in the starting lineup.
So far this season, Dragusin has only started in one Premier League match, a situation that has left him with limited opportunities to prove his worth on the pitch. His difficulties in adapting to life at Spurs were compounded last month when he was sent off just seven minutes into Tottenham’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Qarabag. The early red card in that fixture not only reduced his playing time but also raised questions about his readiness to step into a crucial role within the team.
Despite these challenges, Dragusin is determined to stay and fight for his place at the club, rather than seeking a transfer in the upcoming winter window. His commitment to Tottenham remains strong, and he is not entertaining the possibility of a mid-season departure, even though he has struggled to break into the starting XI. Sources close to the player have revealed that Dragusin’s sole focus is on working hard in training and improving his game in order to earn more playing time.
This decision comes amidst speculation linking Dragusin with a potential move to Italy, where several Serie A clubs, including Napoli, are said to be monitoring his situation. Italian sides have reportedly been keeping a close eye on his progress, recognizing his potential and the possibility that he might look for a fresh start elsewhere if his situation at Spurs does not improve. However, Dragusin appears undeterred by the interest from abroad and is intent on staying in England to prove himself.
One major factor in Dragusin’s lack of playing time has been the strong performances of Tottenham’s first-choice centre-back pairing, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Under manager Ange Postecoglou, Romero and Van de Ven have established themselves as the preferred defensive duo, forming a solid partnership at the back that has limited opportunities for other centre-backs like Dragusin to break into the side. Despite this, there is optimism within the club that Dragusin will still have chances to showcase his abilities, especially in Europe and domestic cup competitions. With Tottenham competing on multiple fronts, Postecoglou may rotate his squad more frequently, potentially providing Dragusin with the minutes he needs to make his mark.
Insiders close to the Romanian defender believe that he remains fully committed to demonstrating his quality on the pitch whenever called upon. Dragusin’s goal is to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup, and he is reportedly willing to be patient while he works towards that aim. His determination to fight for his place rather than look for an exit indicates his confidence in his ability to succeed at the highest level.
This latest development follows comments made by Dragusin’s agent, Florin Manea, at the end of last season, when he expressed concern over his client’s limited role at the club. Manea had warned that Dragusin would not be content with a long-term position on the bench, urging Postecoglou to explore tactical changes to better accommodate the young centre-back. Specifically, Manea suggested that a switch to a three-man defence might allow Dragusin more opportunities to feature regularly, giving the manager more flexibility in his defensive options. However, Postecoglou has so far stuck with his preferred backline, leaving Dragusin to bide his time and wait for his opportunity.
Although Dragusin’s situation remains uncertain in terms of regular Premier League appearances, his decision to stay at Tottenham reflects his belief that he can earn a place in the team. Whether through injury, squad rotation, or cup competitions, the Romanian defender hopes that his chance to shine is just around the corner. For now, Dragusin will continue to focus on improving his form in training, with the ultimate goal of becoming a key player for Spurs in the long term.