Tottenham will complete important attacker signing that could spell the end for £25m forward

Tottenham will sign Dejan Kulusevski permanently next summer with two ways of completing the move available, and his arrival could force a current forward out, per reports.

The Sweden international, 22, was signed on an 18-month loan from Juventus last winter. Kulusevski wasted no time in proving his worth, notching 13 goal contributions in 18 league games last year to help fire Tottenham to fourth spot.

Richarlison’s arrival has strengthened Antonio Conte’s frontline even further. Kulusevski is no longer guaranteed of starts, though he remains an integral part of Spurs’ overall plans moving forward.

Tottenham completed the permanent capture of Cristian Romero on August 30. According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs will follow suit with Kulusevski in 2023.

The transfer specialist tweeted there are “no doubts” Tottenham will turn Kulusevski’s loan spell permanent next summer.

To do so, there are two options open to Spurs.

Firstly, there is a conditional obligation to buy set at €35m (approx £31m). Explaining how it can be triggered, Romano noted Tottenham must qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Furthermore, Kulusevski must make 20 Premier League appearances this season of at least 45 minutes.

Both those conditions can and should be met. However, a slip in the league or an injury lay-off could scupper the clause.

In that scenario, Romano added there is a simple option to buy that could be taken up. Romano did not indicate whether it’s set at the same price as the conditional obligation – €35m.

Kulusevski could push Lucas Moura out

Given Tottenham do intend to sign Kulusevski one way or another, the writing could be on the wall for £25m signing Lucas Moura.

The Brazilian is now 30 and has been relegated to fifth choice forward following Kulusevski and Richarlison’s arrivals.

Lucas previously cleared up any confusion over his contract, declaring it is up next summer, while Tottenham hold an option for a further 12 months.

But with Kulusevski due to arrive permanently, Moura’s time in north London could be up.

Spurs could seek a January sale – something described as a “real possibility” by journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Alternatively, they could trigger his one-year extension to protect their investment and aim to sell next summer in the same window Kulusevski arrives.

That avenue would ensure Conte isn’t left short on numbers for the second half of this season.

Did Kulusevski make right call joining Spurs?

Kulusevski himself has answered that question, explaining how and why things went sour at Juventus.

“I never changed anything about myself: Mentally I always went on the pitch to give my best,” said Kulusevski.

“At Juve, however, it didn’t work beyond what I tried to do.

“Certainly at Juventus I didn’t feel very well for many reasons and when you realise that things are not going [well] it is difficult to reverse the course.

“The choice to leave was the best I could have made.”

Kulusevski is in no doubt joining a Conte-led Tottenham was the right call. Given Spurs’ rise and Kulusevski’s development in such a short space of time, it’s clear the right decision was made.

Expanding further on how he’s been able to improve, the Swede added: “I’m great in England.

“Everything is better, both on and off the pitch. Now I really always want to play and win.

“At Tottenham my body has changed thanks to exercises in the gym. We work a lot every day and better than I did in Italy.”