The gears of the European transfer market are grinding faster than ever this week, and the future of Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin appears to be reaching a decisive tipping point.
After a period of quiet speculation, the Italian giants AS Roma have reignited their pursuit of the Romanian center-back with renewed urgency. While interest in the player had temporarily cooled following a previously rejected bid, a sudden injury crisis in the Italian capital has changed the landscape entirely.
During their recent victory over Torino, Roma defender Mario Hermoso suffered a physical setback, leaving a gaping hole in their backline that the club is now desperate to fill. This development has transformed Dragusin from a luxury target into a vital necessity for the Giallorossi.
The timing of these negotiations has been nothing short of cinematic. While the football world was watching the mid-week fixtures, Dragusin was actually in Bucharest celebrating his wedding on Tuesday.
Even on such a significant personal day, the business of football did not stop. Roma’s sporting director, Ricky Massara, reportedly made a phone call to the player’s representative, Florin Manea, to offer congratulations on the marriage while simultaneously steering the conversation back to the logistics of a move to Rome.
For Dragusin, who is 24 and entering a new chapter of his personal life, the prospect of starting fresh in Italy seems to be a highly attractive proposition.
From the perspective of the decision-makers in North London, the stance is remarkably clear. Tottenham is ready to sanction a departure, but they are not interested in a simple loan deal that leaves the player’s future up in the air.
The club has reportedly demanded a fee of at least €20 million upfront, or at the very least, a loan agreement that includes a mandatory obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Spurs are focused on streamlining their squad and have made it clear behind the scenes that they do not want the Romanian international returning to the training ground for their summer camp. They are looking for a permanent divorce that allows them to reinvest in other areas of the pitch.
| Negotiation Pillar | Current Status |
| Player Preference | Agreed to join AS Roma |
| Transfer Fee | Spurs demanding €20m (upfront or obligation) |
| Roma’s Position | Owners have given the “green light” |
| Competition | RB Leipzig links dismissed as “agent noise” |
| Agent Status | In London today for final talks |
Roma’s confidence is growing by the hour, largely because they have already secured the most important piece of the puzzle: the player’s consent. Dragusin has reportedly agreed to personal terms, and this agreement is being described in Italian media as a “milestone” that is putting significant pressure on Tottenham to finalize the deal.
While there have been whispers of interest from German side RB Leipzig, those close to the situation have dismissed such reports as mere “agent noise” designed to speed up the process. Dragusin’s heart is set on a return to Italy, where he previously enjoyed a very successful spell with Genoa.
Today marks a critical phase in the saga. Dragusin is expected back in London following his wedding festivities, and his outspoken agent, Florin Manea, is also in the English capital to conduct face-to-face meetings with the Spurs hierarchy.
Manea has been very public about his desire to find his client a new home where he can play regular first-team football, and now is the moment for him to justify his reputation by dragging the deal over the finish line.
For Tottenham, the departure of Dragusin would represent a bit of a failed experiment in terms of long-term squad integration, but it offers a chance to recoup a significant fee for a player who has struggled to displace the preferred starting duo.
For Roma, it represents a calculated gamble on a young defender who already knows the nuances of Italian football. With the owner, Ryan Friedkin, giving the final “green light,” the only thing left is for the two clubs to find a middle ground on the payment structure.
As the sun sets in London today, both sets of fans will be waiting for the official word that one of the most talked-about exit stories of the winter window has finally been resolved.
