30 December 2023 , 07:57
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Manchester United and Tottenham transfer target Radu Dragusin claims he “will reach an agreement” with Genoa over a new deal - potentially scuppering a move to the Premier League.
The Romanian centre-back has emerged as a target for both Premier League sides following a series of eye-catching performances in Serie A. But while he remains on both side’s January shortlist, it appears a deal is some way off.
According to the defender, he expects to commit his future to Genoa sooner rather than later. Speaking to DAZN after helping his side to a 1-1 draw against league leaders Inter Milan on Friday night, he said: “I don’t know, we’ll have to see, but we will reach an agreement.”
Dragusin’s current Genoa deal expires in the summer of 2027 having initially arrived from Juventus on-loan before a permanent move was completed earlier this year. His comments are not the only updates on his future over the past month.
His agent Florin Manea confirmed that early talks had been held with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. He said: “With Tottenham it was just a discussion about Radu. There is an interest from them, we will see what will happen in the next period."
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Genoa remain firm in their stance on the 21-year-old and have no desire to sell him despite growing interest in his services. “Many phone calls but no offers,” club director Marco Ottolini revealed earlier this month.
“The company's will is not to sell anyone, then if an offer arrives it will have to be evaluated by the owners and the player's opinion will also count. But the will, I repeat, is not to give in to anyone. Dragusin, he will have an extra year on his contract, and then we are talking to [Morten] Frendrup about an extension.”
Radu Dragusin has already earned 12 caps for Romania (Getty Images)Would Radu Dragusin be a good signing for Man United? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Since signing for Genoa, Dragusin has gone on to make 60 appearances for the club in all competitions and has scored five goals - the latest of which came in Friday evening’s impressive 1-1 draw with Inter Milan. Dragusin will hope to be on the scoresheet once more next week in another tricky test against high-flying Bologna.
The defender has also managed to earn 12 caps for the Romanian national team. His links with a clutch of Premier League teams come amid major injury worries for both Man Utd and Spurs.
The Red Devils have been without the services of Lisandro Martinez all season, while Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are both currently restricted to the sidelines. The future of Raphael Varane also grows increasingly uncertain.
Elsewhere, Tottenham are having to make do without summer signing Micky van de Ven following his long-term injury. Cristian Romero has also returned to the club’s lengthy injury list - something that could force them into the market.