Tottenham will trigger their option to sign Dejan Kulusevski on a permanent transfer this summer, according to a report.
The Juventus midfielder arrived in January on an 18-month loan deal, but such has been his impact that Antonio Conte wants him signed up at the first opportunity.
The Daily Mail report that Conte has been so impressed with the 21-year-old, who he tried to sign at Inter Milan, that he wants him on a permanent deal.
Spurs in fact have three transfer windows in which to buy the Sweden winger. His £8m loan deal allows them to sign him for £25m at the end of the season or wait until the summer of 2023.
If they do that the mandatory buying clause hits £29.25m, as long as Kulusevski plays in 50% of the team’s Premier League matches for at least 45 minutes. And Spurs qualify for the Champions League.
But Conte does not want to wait because the performances of the midfielder have been so impressive.
Kulusevski has scored twice and claimed five assists and is forming a deadly partnership with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. The triumvirate have a total of 27 goal contributions in the last eight Premier League games.
He has been one of the first names on Conte’s team sheet and there’s no surprise the Italian wants him wrapped up as his first piece of summer transfer business.
“We are talking about a player that I know very well, because he played in Italy,” said Conte. “He started to play with Atalanta, then Atalanta brought (sent) him on loan to Parma, and he played in Serie A. And he played in a fantastic way.
“When I was coach of Inter, I tried to ask him, but then Juventus moved before. Maybe they put more money than us at the time, and then they bought this player.
“We are talking about a player who is only 21 years old. And he has to continue to play this way. Because he’s strong physically, big engine, he’s good technically.
“I think for Tottenham, this is a great signing for the present and for the future. We are talking about really, really strong.”
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