Spurs on the verge of “perfect”first permanent Ange signing, he can play eight positions
It looks like Postecoglou will have his first signing of the summer very soon.
According to Italian media, Tottenham are close to completing a deal to recruit Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus. How much did Kulusevski set you back? Kulusevski joined the Lilywhites in January 2022 for a loan price of over £8 million, with an 18-month contract. The Swedish international’s transfer reportedly featured a buyout option for over £30 million (BBC).
However, that buy option was far from set in stone, with doubts emerging in recent weeks and months due to loss of form and injuries keeping the 23 year-old out of the team for large parts of this season. He played just over 2,000 Premier League minutes this term, scoring twice and providing seven assists (Transfermarkt).
Indeed, reports this week had even suggested the deal was essentially off, with The Chronicle claiming a move had “fallen through” and the player was now being offered around to new suitors.
The saga now seems to have taken another twist, with a report from Sport Italia, via Sport Witness, instead saying the deal is now all but complete. According to their information, a permanent move is “one step away” from being finalised and Kulusevski “will” join Tottenham for good.
It is not clear how much the deal will cost, but Sport Witness believe there could be a slight discount on the original clause set in his loan contract.
How many goals has Kulusevski scored?
There’s absolutely no question Daniel Levy and Ange Postecoglou are making the right move by bringing back Kulusevski as the new boss’ first summer signing. In 48 top flight appearances for the Lilywhites, he’s bagged seven goals and 15 assists, meaning he’s directly contributing to a goal nearly once every two matches.
Capable of playing in a truly remarkable eight different positions across the midfield and attack, the young playmaker, dubbed a “perfect player” for Tottenham by Antonio Conte and “pure class” by Garth Crooks, provides Postecoglou with a reliable source of end product outside of the over-reliance on Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. His versatility also adds depths in multiple positions at once and offers Postecoglou more options to shift formations and systems around, knowing he has a fluid and intelligent player capable of making an impact wherever he is on the pitch.
Make no mistake, this is a fantastic start to the summer transfer window for the former Celtic manager, and perhaps they will turn to another loan-to-buy deal with Clément Lenglet next.
