Dejan Kulusevski has stated that while he loves Tottenham he needs to sit down with the powers-that-be to decide what comes next for him although football.london understands the club fully expects to take up the option to sign him.
The 23-year-old joined on an 18-month loan from Juventus in January 2022 and made a huge impact in his first six months at the club. Like Tottenham this season the Swede has been more inconsistent, not helped by some injury problems either side of the World Cup that disrupted his rhythm.
Kulusevski has still managed to rack up 15 assists and seven goals in 48 Premier League matches since joining, meaning a direct goal involvement in almost every other game for the north London outfit and that does not include his involvement earlier on in moves leading to goals.
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Had Tottenham qualified for the Champions League this season then Kulusevski's deal would have automatically been made permanent for 35m euros (£30.2m). Spurs still retain an option to buy him for the same amount, which is payable over five years, although some reports in Italy have claimed that the club will not be taking it up and he will return to Juventus.
football.london understands that Tottenham fully expect to take up the option in the deal and as a result of that he has been used prominently in promotional marketing for the middle leg in Thailand of their summer tour, that match in Bangkok on July 23 taking place after his loan period will end.
It is also understood that when the Swede agreed to the loan deal he would have agreed to a long-term contract with the club in the advent of the obligation or option being taken up.
Now Kulusevski has spoken about his future and suggested that he and Spurs still both need to discuss what comes next and what the plans are from both sides.
"I've got to speak with the club, honestly we haven't had time to do that because it's been a very tough last few months," he said. "We all just tried to do our best and get as many wins as possible so I will speak with the club and we'll see what the plan is from their side and from my side. We'll see."
When asked what he wants to do and whether he wants to stay, the Swede replied: "Of course I love the club but I have to speak with the club and see what their thoughts are and how the future is looking. We've got to speak about that."
Still only 23, Kulusevski admitted that he had a little dip in form earlier this year but felt he regained his sharpness in the final months of the campaign.
"It's been a long season, very long. It started very good and then I had a couple of injuries for the first time in my career," he said. "Then after that I felt very good but I started dipping. I had a dip from maybe February, when I didn't play so good. Then I started playing better and in the last months I played pretty good but the only thing missing is maybe the final pass and the goals.
"So of course a disappointing season but no regrets. I know I gave it my all. I'm going on vacation now for a couple of weeks and then looking forward to the national team."
He added: "To be honest it was many games this season that I also played good (as opposed to the dip in form). As I mentioned I had one month where I struggled but that is normal - no players don't struggle. You want to keep that time as short as possible so when you're not in a good mood maybe you play badly in two or three games, and not a whole month. I have to be better in that aspect but I know that I can do much more in the future."
For the first time since 2009 Spurs will have no European football on the menu next season and Kulusevski said they have to seek the positives in it.
"You can see it in many different ways but one way is that we can only concentrate of the Premier League next year. When you have too many competitions it's much harder," he said. "I know before I've played at clubs where we didn't play in Europe and then we played in the league against some teams that play in Europe and they were much more tired, so I think we can have a little edge in the Premier League.
"Of course you also have the [domestic cups] too. When we played in the Champions League this season, it was amazing and we passed the group stage but when it really mattered we weren't good enough."
Kulusevski is looking ahead to next season and he believes it will be a positive one for Spurs.
"We have to rest a little bit. It's been a very, very long season with the World Cup also. You have to reset, forget about football for at least one week and let your mind breathe a little bit," he admitted. "Of course we're always positive about the future. We love what we're doing and at this club there's a lot of talent and when there's talent, everything can happen."
One man who certainly has the talent is Harry Kane and the England captain managed 30 Premier League goals for Spurs despite their struggles. His team-mate Kulusevski is one of the striker's biggest fans.
"That's what he does, that's the most impressive thing - it doesn't matter how it goes for the team, he always scores," he said. "That's something as young players we have to grow. A million things can happen to the team but you always have to perform and that's what he does. I have to learn a lot from him in the mental aspect, absolutely."
For a man who has played alongside the likes of Cristian Ronaldo, Kulusevski was asked whether Kane was one of the best he had turned out alongside.
"Absolutely. I've played with a lot of good players but he's for sure up there, especially in the final third and scoring goals," he said. "Of course he's very important, we all know that. He scored 30 goals in a tough season. It's greatness, honestly. He's been great."
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