Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they are paying ‘over the odds’ for Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.
football.london understands that Sweden international Kulusevski has flown to the UK ahead of deadline day to complete a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, whilst Bentancur is also expected to follow his Juventus teammate to north London.
The pair will thus become Spurs’ first additions of the January transfer window as Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici attempt to bolster the club’s current options.
Kulusevski is expected to sign a loan deal with an option to buy, whilst it also remains to be seen on what terms Bentancur is set to arrive on, considering that Aston Villa also had a bid reportedly rejected for his services earlier in the window.
Valued at £49m between them by transfermarkt, it goes without saying that Spurs would have to fork out a considerable amount should they aim to seal permanent deals for the pair.
Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has suggested that the club could be set to pay far more than would be expected should they secure the duo.
Speaking with Football Insider, the ex-England international said: “I think it is difficult to get good deals in January.
“But when you make it common knowledge that you want to sign players then clubs you are talking to hike their prices up.
“Clubs will sense Spurs are desperate to sign players so they might end up paying over the odds.
“It will take Conte three or four windows to get a squad together that he is happy with. A squad that he thinks is capable of challenging.
“It is a tough situation. Clubs will not let players go cheap now when they know Spurs are desperate.”
Ahead of the transfers, Kulusevski has already hinted that a permanent deal could be on the cards.
Before travelling to the UK, he said: “I have enjoyed my time in Italy and will potentially be back one day."
