Radu Drăgușin scouting report: ‘forward-thinking’ defender whose value soared in 2023

Tottenham Hotspur’s problems at centre-back are well documented this season and Ange Postecoglou is determined to strengthen his options during the January transfer market. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are top quality options but Tottenham’s depth beyond their first-choice duo is woeful and it’s been badly exposed when both players have been absent through injury. 

Several centre-backs have been linked with Tottenham this month but Radu Dragusin appears the most viable option. The Genoa defender has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Spurs with the two clubs negotiating over a fee. It’s understood that Genoa will hold out for around €30m for Dragusin with Postecoglou recently confirming his transfer plans. “We need to sign another centre-back though because at the moment we're on tenterhooks in case something else happens there,” he admitted. 

Dragusin deal - Bayern set to hijack Tottenham deal?

Indeed, negotiations between Tottenham and Genoa advanced to a significant degree over the last few days with the Premier League club offering €25m plus €5m in add-ons plus the ability to sign Djed Spence on loan. With that proposal, Tottenham were confident that they would add their much needed upgrade in defence. But then on Tuesday, Fabrizio Romano reported that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are now attempting to hijack Tottenham's deal. According to the report, Bayern are bitting slightly more money but no players in return. It will now be up for Dragusin whether he will head to Munich or London. 

Despite interest from Chelsea and PSG, Dragusin moved to Juventus in 2018 and he was handed his debut by Andrea Pirlo as an 18-year-old against Lazio in November 2020. Dragusin showed promise but he failed to establish himself as a first-team regular and he embarked on loan spells at Sampdoria, Salernitana and Genoa before joining the latter permanently in January 2023 for €5.5m. 

Drăgușin 4th biggest market value increase of Serie A centre-backs in 2023

Dragusin’s market value currently stands at €20m after the recent Serie A update and his valuation has increased by €16.5m - which ranks him 4th for Serie A centre backs in 2023. Transfermarkt’s Romanian expert Florin Manea believes he would shine in the English Premier League.“Radu Dragusin is the great star and at the same time the great hope of the rise of Romanian football,” he said. “He appeared as a surprise three years ago in the Juventus first team, at a time when Romanian football did not have much joy. He made noticeable progress and was particularly evident through a strong physique and a safe defensive game. I think that moving to Spurs is a deserved step in his career and I also think that he will be able to cope at the highest level. The entire Romanian football phenomenon hopes that Dragusin will be the player who will lead the Romanian national team to as many successes as possible.”

Former Juventus defender Drăgușin would be ‘forward-thinking’ Tottenham signing

Dragusin has played the entirety of his professional career in Italy and Transfermarkt’s Italian expert Jatin Dietl believes the Romanian international would represent a 'smart and forward-thinking' purchase for Spurs."Dragusin is one of the most interesting young defenders in Serie A,” Dietl admitted. “He is a modern player, physically very strong, difficult to beat in the aerial game and skilful in the setting phase. Gifted with a long, very precise pass, Radu is able to quickly turn the action around on the offensive front. In marking, he is aggressive and focused, often well-positioned. At times, he likes to come out with the ball outside his own penalty area, acting as a "regista", displaying a distinct personality.

"Characteristically, he is the classic leader, a guide for his teammates, who often entrust him with the ball and, on certain occasions, even help him with doubles, convinced by the young Romanian's great strength. After Destiny Udogie, he would be another smart and forward-thinking purchase by Tottenham in Italy. He has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the league. Genoa knows this and that's why they are asking very high prices and would not want to release him in January.”