Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham transfer news: Paratici plots double Serie B swoop with talks planned during World Cup

Fabio Paratici, August 2022

Tottenham Hotspur director of football Fabio Paratici has his eyes on two players from the same second-tier side, according to a report from Italy.

Paratici has looked back towards his homeland for several signings since taking up his role with Tottenham. For example, he has brought in Argentine defender Cristian Romero from Atalanta, Swedish winger Dejan Kuluveski and Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus, and Croatian winger Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

The Italian theme could continue in future Tottenham transfer windows, regardless of what happens with head coach Antonio Conte.

Instead of looking at established talents in Serie A, though, Paratici could be exploring deals for some talents for the future he can pluck from Serie B.

According to Serie B News, the Tottenham director has been looking at Genoa pair Radu Dragusin and Morten Frendrup.

Dragusin is a defender who is on loan at Genoa from Juventus. Still only 20 years old, he has already earned one senior cap for Romania and is now enjoying his third loan spell away from his parent club.

His contract with Juventus is due to expire in 2025, but Genoa will be obliged to buy him if he meets certain conditions this season. Doing so will cost them around €5.5million plus up to €2million in bonuses.

In other words, the total package for Dragusin could cost the Serie B side around £6.5million.

Theoretically, Tottenham might have to bid higher than that in order to tempt Genoa to turn a quick profit.

Tottenham double deal taking shape

Dragusin could come as part of a package deal, though. Also on Tottenham’s radar, per the report, is his teammate Frendrup, who plays in midfield.

The 21-year-old is under contract with Genoa until 2026 after joining them from Brondby in January. They paid €3.7million to sign him, so Spurs would seemingly have to offer more than £3.2million to persuade them to sell.

Genoa, who suffered relegation from Serie A six months ago, are currently third in Serie B.

Paratici is already planning to start exploring the deals for their duo during the World Cup break. However, it remains to be seen whether he can get them in January – it would seem complicated in Dragusin’s case – or if Spurs would have to wait until the summer.

Then, it would be up to both players to prove they belong at the higher level.

Frendrup already has Europa League experience with Brondby, as well as a taste of Champions League qualifiers. Dragusin, meanwhile, has played in one Champions League match for his parent club.

But going from a second tier to a side competing for a top-four place in the Premier League would take some adjusting to.

Links between Tottenham and Dragusin go back a while, though, so they clearly believe he is capable of making an impact. And if the deals don’t cost much, they might be worth the risk.

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