In their relentless pursuit of strengthening their defensive line, Juventus has turned its attention back to a familiar face: Radu Dragusin. The young Romanian defender, a product of Juventus’ youth academy, is currently grappling with limited playing time at Tottenham Hotspur, which has opened the door for a potential reunion. The Bianconeri find themselves in a precarious situation following Gleison Bremer’s unfortunate ACL injury, leaving them critically short on both quality and depth in defense. As a result, bolstering their backline has become an urgent priority as they approach the January transfer window.
Cristiano Giuntoli, Juventus’s astute Football Director, has made it clear that acquiring a new central defender is at the top of the club’s agenda, even more so than recruiting a striker. This shift in focus highlights the importance of defensive stability for the team as they navigate a competitive season. While the club has explored a myriad of potential candidates over the past few weeks, Dragusin’s profile is gaining significant traction among the decision-makers in Turin.
Choosing Dragusin would not only be a tactical move but also a sentimental one, as the player developed his foundational skills within the Juventus youth system. He distinguished himself while representing both the Primavera and Next Gen squads, showcasing his potential before earning a few first-team appearances under the tutelage of Andrea Pirlo during the 2020/21 season. However, his subsequent career saw him embark on a series of loan spells, ultimately leading to a permanent transfer to Genoa, where he caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur, who acquired him for a profitable fee.
Now, Dragusin has been trying to find his footing in North London since January, but he has struggled to establish himself as a fixture in Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI. The Australian manager appears to prefer the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, which has relegated Dragusin to a role on the sidelines. So far this season, he has only made a handful of appearances in the Premier League, with just one start to his name.
Reports from Tuttosport, relayed by JuventusNews24, suggest that Tottenham is amenable to sending Dragusin out on loan in January. The reasoning behind this potential move is strategic; Spurs aim to maintain the young defender’s market value, which could plummet if he continues to spend the season warming the bench. A temporary relocation to Juventus could provide him with the game time necessary to develop further and regain his momentum.
This arrangement would undoubtedly suit Juventus, particularly given their financial constraints following an extravagant summer spending spree that saw them invest approximately 180 million euros. With their budget tightly controlled, a loan deal for Dragusin would not only meet their immediate defensive needs but also align with their broader strategy of prudent financial management. As Juventus navigates the complexities of the transfer market, the possibility of bringing back a former youth product like Dragusin could be a win-win situation for both the player and the club.