Tottenham coach Antonio Conte reveals that Fabio Paratici signed Dejan Kulusevski at Juventus not to strengthen the Bianconeri, but to damage him.
Kulusevski joined Tottenham from Juventus in the January transfer window. He completed an initial loan move to North London, but Spurs have an option to make his move permanent for €35m in June 2023.
Kulusevski scored his first Tottenham goal against Manchester City on Saturday and Conte confirmed that the Swede could have joined Inter in 2020, when he was in charge of the Nerazzurri.
“I asked for him when I was at Inter from Juventus,” he told London Evening Standard.
“I opened the idea with Paratici. But he wanted to cut me [out of the deal], not to reinforce Juventus, you understand, but only to damage myself.”
Kulusevski revealed in 2020 that he had snubbed a move to Inter because of Conte’s tactical system. However, he changed his stance last month, deciding to finally join the Italian tactician.
Kulusevski changed his stance on Conte ahead of Tottenham move
“Paratici also tried with Lukaku, to buy Lukaku for Juventus because he knew very well that I like him and wanted him in my team. It was the same for Kulusevski. But at that time, maybe Juventus were stronger than us in the transfer market,” Continued Conte.
Lukaku came close to joining Juventus in a swap deal with Paulo Dybala in 2019. However, the Argentinean snubbed a move to Manchester United, so Lukaku joined Inter.
“When you go to sign players here in England, you have to check many aspects. I continue to repeat this, because this is the top league and it’s very difficult to play. It’s not for all, this league,” Conte added.
“If you play in this league, you can play in every league. But it doesn’t mean if you play in another league, you can come here to play. I think we have to pay great attention [to signings].
“Bentancur and Kulusevski are two good signings, two good prospects for the philosophy of the club. Two good players to develop. But players that are ready now. Ready to play and to help us.”
Bentancur also joined Tottenham from Juventus in the January transfer window. However, his move to North London is a permanent one. Tottenham paid €19m to secure his services plus €6m add-ons.