'I would consider': Tottenham's £26m man sees return to former club talked up by his international manager

To think, that £26 million move to Tottenham Hotspur was supposed to bring an end to speculation surrounding a man who spent much of early-2024 in the gossip columns.

Nearly 12 months on, however, the gossip – not to mention the uncertainty – continues.

With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven nailed-on starters under Ange Postecoglou, Radu Dragusin was always risking a place on the bench when putting pen to paper with Tottenham Hotspur during the the winter.

But still, after Dragusin chose Spurs over both Napoli and Bayern Munich, the Romania international surely could not have imagined that he would have only five Premier League starts to his name nine months on.

Romania boss backs Tottenham Hotspur benchwarmer Radu Dragusin

Dragusin has only been included in Ange Postecoglou’s XI on four occasions across all competitions during 2024/25.

In one – against Qarabag in the Europa League – he was sent off after just five minutes. The former Genoa ace struggled too as Tottenham survived an almighty scare against Coventry City in the EFL Cup while losing to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Speaking ahead of the latest international break next month, Romania coach Mircea Lucescu insists that there is no question about Dragusin losing his place at the heart of the Tricolorii backline.

But that does not mean the former Turkey, Galatasaray and Benfica boss is pleased to see one of his most important players waste away on the Tottenham bench.

“Radu Dragusin is always a starter for us,” Lucescu tells Gazzetta dello Sport. “He is on the rise and will become a great defender. He is now focused on getting into the first team at Tottenham.

“I am interested in Dragusin playing and being happy. [But] the decisions of other coaches are not my problem.”

Lucescu talks up Juventus return for Spurs’ £26m man

Dragusin’s agent insists an early Tottenham departure is not on the cards at this stage.

However, he did not rule out Napoli – now under the stewardship of former Spurs coach Antonio Conte – making another move for a player they tried to sign prior to his switch from Liguria to North London in January.

Lucescu believes that there is another Serie A giant who would benefit from adding Dragusin’s ponytailed presence to their backline; a Juventus side who briefly employed the 22-year-old when such defensive luminaries as Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Matthijs de Ligt called the Allianz Stadium home.

“If he continues to play [only] a bit in England, and if I was at Juventus, I would really consider bringing him back,” adds Lucescu. “He is young, he knows Serie A and Juventus Football Club.”

Postecoglou’s four-man defensive set-up means that Dragusin will need to be patient as he awaits more chances to stake his claim.

He did impress as Fraser Forster and Mikey Moore inspired Tottenham to victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League last week, however. And, if he can avoid further suspensions, that competition should offer Dragusin’s best route into Postecoglou’s first-team plans.

“[Dragusin is] still only 22, and he’s going to play a big part in our season,” the former Celtic and Australia coach told reporters in September.

“He’s still a young man, especially for a defender. I think he’s going to play a big part in our season.”