
Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Antonio Conte backed to push through £25m Tottenham deal for ‘outstanding’ player

Antonio Conte is seemingly in no doubt that Tottenham will push through the permanent signing of Dejan Kulusevski this summer.
The Swedish winger moved to north London on an initial 18-month loan from Juventus in January. Tottenham paid an initial £8.3m investment to bring in the 21-year-old, with the deal giving them an option to make the move permanent. Alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, they became the first signings of Conte’s reign at Tottenham.
As part of Kulusevski’s arrangement, Spurs have the option to turn his move into a permanent £25m move this summer.
However, there were some who doubted whether a player like Kulusesvki who make much of an impression with Spurs. Some observers suggest he may struggle to make an impact in a Conte side and the formation he likes to play.
Furthermore, with competition for places in Tottenham’s attack strong, some struggles to see where Kulusesvki would fit in.
Undaunted, though, the Swede has made a big impact under Conte. Indeed, he now appears very much a first-choice pick in their attack alongside Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
Despite having Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn as options, it seems it is Kulusevski’s place to lose.
And in nine Premier League appearances for Spurs, Kulusevski has two goals and four assists. That represents a goal involvement every 1.5 games – form which has seemingly convinced Conte to trigger his permanent signing.
Money well spent
News of that potential £25m deal has been warmly welcomed by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor.
He believes the fee will something of a bargain, labelling Kulusevski an ‘oustanding’ player.
Asked by Football Insider if Spurs should make the move permanent, Agbonlahor stated: “One hundred per cent.
“He’s such a talented player. He suits that Spurs attack perfectly.

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“Son on the left, Kane through the middle, Kulusevski on the right cutting in. They’ve been outstanding since he’s come in.
“He looks so hungry to succeed. He and Bentancur have been amazing signings for Spurs.”
The signing of Kulusevski has also been hailed as “masterstroke” by Alan Shearer.
Kulusevski also earns Fabio Paratici praise
The man who also brought Kulusevski to Tottenham, director Fabio Paratici, has also hinted at Conte’s satisfaction with the player.
Furthermore, he claims his impact – and that of Bentancur – comes as no surprise, as he knows both players well.
“We know, me and Antonio Conte, we know these players very well because I was in Juve before and Antonio was in Italy, so he knows very well the players,” he said at a press conference.
“We know that the character and mentality and the style of these kind of players would be right for us.
“Normally some players need time to adapt, to adapt to the Premier League, to England, whatever, so for Rodrigo and Deki it was really, really quick.”
Speaking when he first arrived at the club, Kulusevski himself has named the Premier League star he looks up to the most.