Tottenham completes double-signing of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the double-signing of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus, both clubs announced on Monday. Kulusevski joins Spurs on an 18-month loan deal with a EUR 35 million option to buy from the Serie A side while the deal for Bentancur is reportedly worth EUR 19 million over three yearly installments, with a further EUR 6 million in add-ons. The club said both players are subject to “international clearance and a work permit” before joining up with their new teammates. 

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Namaste, Kulusevski & Bentancur??#COYS pic.twitter.com/E6yVhJBiOb

— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) February 1, 2022

Kulusevski was born in Stockholm and represents Sweden at the international level. He came through the Atalanta academy set-up after moving to Italy as a 16-year-old and later rose to limelight during his two loan spells with Parma, once from Atalanta and again after Paratici took him to Juventus in 2019.

The 21-year-old scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 39 games for Parma and added another seven goals and seven assists in his first campaign for Juve last year. Conte was reportedly interested in signing the youngster when he was with Inter Milan.

Kulusevski was a regular for Juve during the 2020/21 season, featuring in all but three of the Old Lady’s Serie A matches and starting every game as the Bianconeri lifted the Coppa Italia, scoring and providing the assist in a 2-1 win over his former club Atalanta in the final.

He represented Sweden at the delayed Euro 2020 finals, last summer, where he set up two goals in his nation’s memorable 3-2 win over Poland to progress to the round of 16 stage as group winners.

The 21-year-old has made 27 appearances for Juventus in all competitions this season, but has started only seven of those and has scored just twice. The winger can play at both the flanks and also as a central attacking midfielder. He could play alongside Harry Kane and his versatility in attack could be a handful for Spurs.

Meanwhile, Bentancur made his senior debut for Boca Juniors in 2015 after spending six years with their junior side. He joined Juve in 2017, making 133 appearances across all competitions during his time with the Serie A side.

The 24-year-old made his first senior call up to the Uruguayan national side in September 2017 and made his debut that October during the 2018 World cup qualifiers. Spurs boss Antonio Conte was desperate to add more quality to his attacking line-up and both Kulusevski and Bentancur have proven their worth over the years and will certainly provide an extra dimension to Spurs’ attack.