Tottenham set to beat Bayern Munich to signing of 21-year-old defender Radu Dragusin; the Romania international completed his medical in London on Wednesday; Dragusin opted for a move to Spurs despite late interest from the Bundesliga champions
Wednesday 10 January 2024 21:18, UK
Radu Dragusin has decided to join Tottenham over Bayern Munich.
Spurs had reached an agreement with Genoa worth £25.9m (€30m), including £5.6m (€6m) in add-ons, before Bayern launched a late bid in an attempt to hijack the deal.
Bayern's improved offer worth £26.7m (€31m) left Dragusin to decide which club he wants to play for, and he has chosen Tottenham.
The Romania defender flew to London on Wednesday and completed his medical.
Bayern's failed move for Dragusin came after Sky in Germany reported at the weekend the German club had agreed terms with Tottenham defender Eric Dier, who is now their No 1 target.
The 29-year-old is free to speak to foreign clubs with his contract expiring this summer but Spurs have not had an approach from Bayern.
Tottenham are set to land Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin, but in what areas does the 21-year-old shine?
Dragusin has started every Serie A game this season and excels in the air - ranking third in the league for winning aerial duels.
Only Cagliari's Alberto Dossena has completed more clearances, while Dragusin also poses a threat at the other end of the pitch - ranking ninth for headed shots.
The centre-back has been deployed in a back three at Genoa but can play across that line. With the club sat 12th in Serie A, the heat map below reveals Dragusin has been busy deep in his own penalty box.
Italian football expert Mina Rzouki told Sky Sports:
"Let's start with the good stuff. He is an interesting character as straightaway when he was at Juventus, and was handed his debut by Andrea Pirlo, what stood out was his size.
"He's so tall and has got great physique. It's really difficult to win a duel against him. He owns everything on an aerial level. He's very strong and aggressive in his type of defending.
"Pirlo wanted him to train with the first-team squad to improve his technique and what you see at Genoa is that he is now better on the ball.
"He's not a ball-playing defender, and is not someone who is going to progress the ball on his own at the back, but he delivers a great long pass and it's also very difficult to dribble past him.
"He's not super fast but fast enough but he's going to be difficult to beat at set-pieces and he loves to score a goal.
"He recently scored the equaliser against Inter Milan to ensure Genoa earned a point.
"One thing that everyone who has ever worked with Dragusin has told me is that the first thing they notice is his size, but secondly and most importantly it is his character that has stood out.
"Everyone talks about his exemplary professionalism, how hard he works, how much he is willing to learn and improve.
"It's so rare to find these days when you're looking for players. He understands what it takes to be the best and he is working every day to improve the skills he has."
"Dragusin's agent said he couldn't believe his player turned down Bayern but it's something to note about the player that he did give his word to Ange Potecoglou and he has honoured it," said Rzouki.
"That's part of his character but he's followed the Premier League closely and it's the league he's always wanted to join.
"He feels it will suit his skills perfectly. It also has a lot to do with the character of the coach. He spoke previously about his relationship with Andrea Pirlo.
"What stood out for him was the way that he approached the dressing room so calmly. He was never an authoritarian who shouted and screamed at his players but just commanded respect.
"He was encouraging and motivating. He found that exciting to work with. He wanted to please him and he wanted to work with him.
"He found that at Genoa working under Alberto Gilardino. He's very loved in the dressing room, and may feel he has found the same thing with Postecoglou at Spurs."
The winter transfer window is now open and will close at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland on Thursday 1 February, 2024.
To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga, and LFP, who will all close their summer and winter windows on 1 September and 1 February respectively.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms, while you can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News, including daily transfer shows, and listen to our Transfer Talk podcast.
