Radu Drăgușin agent claims RB Leipzig talks “would cause a scandal”

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Drăgușin has once again found himself at the centre of a tangled transfer narrative, with fresh claims from Romania suggesting that a past move to RB Leipzig was closer than previously known.

Romanian pundit Costin Ștucan has revealed details allegedly shared with him by Drăgușin’s agent, Florin Manea, claiming that Leipzig held concrete interest in the defender before his switch to Tottenham in January 2024 — and that the information was deliberately kept out of the public domain.

Speaking to I Am Sport, Ștucan insisted Leipzig’s interest was genuine and advanced.

“Leipzig was 100% interested in him,” he said. “Before he transferred to Tottenham, Manea showed me discussions with people from Leipzig. He asked me not to say anything because if they appeared, it would cause a big scandal.”

The comments have reignited debate around how Drăgușin’s move to Spurs ultimately unfolded and whether alternative options were quietly sidelined.

Drăgușin arrived from Genoa in a high-profile January deal but has endured a frustrating two-year period in England. A long-term knee injury ruled him out for close to a year, and even after returning to fitness, opportunities have been scarce.

With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven established as Tottenham’s first-choice centre-back pairing, the Romanian international has struggled to see a clear pathway into the starting XI. At 23, regular football has become a priority.

As a result, Drăgușin has been strongly linked with a January exit. A return to Serie A appears the most realistic option, with AS Roma currently leading the chase. Talks with Tottenham, however, have yet to reach an agreement.

Leipzig were again mentioned as potential suitors earlier this month, but those links quickly cooled, with reports in Germany downplaying any active pursuit.

That cycle of claims and denials has become familiar. Fellow Romanian pundit Remus Răureanu highlighted the contradictions, noting recent German coverage suggesting Leipzig were not interested and that agents were leveraging the club’s name in negotiations elsewhere.

The result is a Groundhog Day scenario for Drăgușin, with Leipzig repeatedly appearing in the background of his transfer story without anything concrete materialising.

Tottenham are expected to decide Drăgușin’s short-term future before the window closes, with Roma pushing to find common ground. Whether Leipzig’s historic interest ever translates into action remains doubtful, but the defender’s camp appear keen to keep options open.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions, with negotiations still fluid and multiple narratives in play.

Should Tottenham cash in on Radu Drăgușin now or give him a fresh chance next season?