'I can't believe we turned down Bayern!' - Radu Dragusin's agent shocked at Tottenham transfer
- Radu Dragusin set to join Tottenham from Genoa
- Bayern Munich failed with late bid for defender
- Dragusin's agent surprised by his client's decision
By Sean Walsh
The agent of Radu Dragusin has revealed his shock that the defender has decided to join Tottenham Hotspur instead of Bayern Munich.
Spurs have been on the lookout for a new centre-back this month and quickly identified Romania international Dragusin as one of their priority targets.
Talks with Genoa over a move intensified over the last week, but any deal threatened to collapse following late interest from Bayern Munich, who sent an official bid on Monday night.
However, multiple reports across Europe claim Tottenham submitted a new bid worth €30m plus Djed Spence on loan overnight, and the 21-year-old decided to join Spurs on Wednesday morning.
Speaking to Romanian outlet GSP, Dragusin's agent - Florin Manea - revealed how the saga unfolded and expressed his surprise that the defender turned down a club like Bayern.
"The decision was made this morning at 8am. We were determined to go to Tottenham, but the offer came from Bayern, so we stopped. I was on my way to the airport. But I said we have to think carefully and evaluate. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs. I can't believe we turned Bayern down," Manea said.
"But that's the decision. I took it with Radu and his family. I informed Bayern that this was the decision, that they came in the last meters and that it was difficult to change our decision. Maybe in the future we will get there. We are a bit mind-blown. To turn down Bayern...But it was ultimately what Radu and his family wanted. He is happy. We're going to Tottenham.
"Of course, Radu also thought about Bayern's offer. We made the decision in the morning. It's hard to make such a choice. Bayern strongly wanted him, but the official offer only came last night.
"There was more money from Bayern, but he said that this is the right step for his career. We stayed up all night to think. I did not sleep at all. Both Napoli and AC Milan wanted him. But he dreamed of playing in the Premier League from a young age."
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