Fiorentina Secures Dragusin from Tottenham in Key Defensive Reinforcement

FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina has finalized a significant defensive reinforcement, securing a verbal agreement with Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Radu DragusinPlayer·Radu Dragusin. The Romania international is set to return to Serie ACompetition·Serie A on a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy, a move that signals a deliberate strengthening of the Viola's backline following a demanding period.

The terms of the agreement involve a €1.5 million loan fee, with an obligatory purchase clause set at €17.5 million at the end of the season. This figure could potentially rise to €25 million based on performance conditions, according to reports. The transfer reunites Dragusin with FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici, who was instrumental in bringing the centre-back to Tottenham from GenoaTeam·Genoa in 2024.

Dragusin's journey in Italian football began in the youth ranks of JuventusTeam·Juventus, where he progressed to the first team, making his Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League debut as an 18-year-old against Dynamo KyivTeam·Dynamo Kyiv in December 2020. His time with JuventusTeam·Juventus was brief, leading to loan spells at Sampdoria, Salernitana, and ultimately GenoaTeam·Genoa. It was in Liguria that his career truly flourished, playing a pivotal role in GenoaTeam·Genoa's promotion campaign and subsequently impressing in Serie ACompetition·Serie A during late 2023 and early 2024. This form attracted considerable attention, with Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur ultimately winning the race for his signature ahead of Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich.

However, Dragusin's tenure in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League proved more challenging than anticipated. A serious knee injury disrupted his progress and significantly limited his playing minutes, preventing him from establishing a consistent role within the Tottenham squad. His return to Italy now offers a crucial opportunity to rebuild his career and regain consistent form.

The transfer comes after a difficult 2025/26 campaign for both clubs. FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina concluded the Serie ACompetition·Serie A season in 15th place with 42 points, recording nine wins, 15 draws, and 14 losses. The club endured a brush with relegation from Serie ACompetition·Serie A last term, though coach Paolo Vanoli's team demonstrated strong recent form towards the end of the season to move out of the danger zone. FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina also reached the Quarter-finals of the Conference LeagueCompetition·Conference League during the season.

Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur also faced a challenging 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season, finishing 17th with 41 points from 10 wins, 11 draws, and 17 losses. The club was embroiled in a dismal relegation battle, teetering on the brink of a shock relegation before manager Roberto De Zerbi successfully steered the team to safety on the final day. Tottenham's home performance was notably weak, securing only three wins at home throughout the campaign. De Zerbi underscored the gravity of their situation, stating that their final match was "more important than the trophy - the pride, the history of the club, the dignity are more important than the trophy."

For FiorentinaTeam·Fiorentina, the acquisition of Dragusin is viewed as a deliberate and targeted piece of squad building, aimed at providing stability and strength to their defensive lineup. His prior experience in Italian football is considered a natural fit for the move. For Tottenham, Dragusin's departure follows a period where consistent playing time did not materialize, and the club has also bolstered its backline with new arrivals, including Marcos SenesiPlayer·Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van HeckePlayer·Jan Paul van Hecke, signaling a strategic reshaping of their defensive options.