Tottenham Hotspur 'to negotiate cut-price Dejan Kulusevski fee'

In January 2022, Spurs successfully negotiated an 18-month loan agreement the playmaker, the plan being to eventually push through a permanent deal.

When Kulusevski contributed five goals and eight assists in just 18 Premier League outings during the second half of 2021-22, a future transfer appeared to be a formality.

However, Kulusevski's form - along with Spurs' - dropped off in the recent campaign, subsequently resulting in the North Londoners missing out on Champions League football.

As a result, Spurs have no obligation to sign Kulusevski, but the option remains to secure the signature of the Sweden international for £24.9m.

The 23-year-old revealed at the weekend that he had been yet to hold discussions with the club over whether they plan to activate that clause.

Any developments would come at a time when Spurs are without a permanent head coach or sporting director, leaving chairman Daniel Levy to make the final decision.

According to Calciomercato, Spurs are hopeful that they can sign Kulusevski for a lower fee than has previously agreed.

Spurs allegedly want to try to reduce the set fee and instead convince Juventus to allow add-ons to be activated through Kulusevski's future performances.

Juventus find themselves in a position where unwanted players are returning to Turin due to unsuccessful loan periods elsewhere, the consequence being that they have missed out on lucrative fees.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds United have opted against signing Arthur Melo, Denis Zakaria and Weston McKennie - all central midfielders - on permanent deals which could have theoretically generated in excess of £100m for the Italian giants.

Furthermore, Juventus will not participate in next season's Champions League, a consequence of a recent points deduction, and results must go their way on Sunday if they are to avoid only qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

Spurs may potentially opt against activating any clauses until they have determined their next head coach, with Celtic's Ange Postecoglou the latest name to be linked with the job.