Arsenal nearly signed Tottenham ace now thriving under Postecoglou

In a notable twist of fate, Tottenham Hotspur secured the signing of Dejan Kulusevski in 2022, a player who very well could have joined Arsenal had events unfolded differently.

According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Arsenal originally aimed to secure Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in the 2022 winter transfer window.

Yet, when Vlahovic opted to join Juventus, Arsenal quickly shifted focus to Kulusevski, then also with Juventus.

However, Tottenham, led by former sporting director Fabio Paratici and then-manager Antonio Conte, swiftly outmaneuvered their North London rivals, sealing an 18-month loan deal with Juventus for Kulusevski.

Tottenham’s decisive action brought Kulusevski to North London on January 31, 2022, with a loan fee of €10 million and an option to buy for €35 million.

In the summer of 2023, Spurs officially made the Swedish forward’s transfer permanent, and under current manager Ange Postecoglou, Kulusevski has transformed into a highly effective playmaker.

Adapted from his original role as a winger, Kulusevski now occupies a central creative role in Tottenham’s attack, delivering numerous goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. With 23 chances created this season, Kulusevski ranks fifth in the Premier League, trailing only Bukayo Saka, Dwight McNeil, Andreas Pereira, and Cole Palmer.

Kulusevski’s impact for Tottenham has extended beyond club level.

During the last international break, the 24-year-old captained Sweden, showcasing his growing influence on and off the field.

His playmaking abilities have become a key part of Tottenham’s offensive structure, and his adaptation to a central role under Postecoglou illustrates Tottenham’s evolving tactical approach and the manager’s ability to maximize player strengths.

Had Arsenal succeeded in signing Kulusevski, he would likely have initially competed with Bukayo Saka for a position on the right wing. It’s plausible that a transition to a central role might have been accelerated at the Emirates, where Martin Ødegaard currently serves as Arsenal’s primary playmaker. Instead, Arsenal turned to other options, signing Marquinhos six months after Kulusevski joined Tottenham.

However, the young Brazilian has yet to make an impact at Arsenal, and it wasn’t until January 2023 that Arsenal found a more influential addition in Leandro Trossard.

While Trossard has generally impressed, with a reputation for scoring important goals off the bench, recent performances have included notable missteps, including an errant back-pass that led to William Saliba’s red card against Bournemouth and a missed penalty against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Nonetheless, Trossard’s overall contribution remains positive, reflecting Arsenal’s need for versatile, impactful players.

At Tottenham, the timing of Kulusevski’s transfer has been crucial in shaping the team’s current trajectory. Postecoglou’s squad continues to benefit from his creativity and versatility, which has been instrumental in the club’s promising start to the season.

Meanwhile, the emergence of 17-year-old talent Mikey Moore adds another layer of future potential, particularly as Tottenham’s veteran Timo Werner, on loan, has had limited impact. Moore’s rise may soon lead to more minutes in the senior lineup, adding youthful energy to Tottenham’s attacking options.

With Kulusevski now thriving as a central figure at Tottenham, the decision to secure his transfer remains a standout example of effective recruitment and adaptation within the squad.

His performances underline Tottenham’s commitment to a dynamic, team-oriented approach under Postecoglou, with a balance of experienced playmakers and emerging young talents.

As Tottenham builds on this foundation, Kulusevski’s role will likely continue to evolve, offering the team a reliable source of creativity and playmaking that could help shape the club’s competitive future.

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