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Tottenham Hotspur man comments on reunion links with Antonio Conte at Napoli

Spurs man comments on reunion links with Conte at Napoli
© Reuters
One of Tottenham Hotspur's first-team players comments on speculation linking him with a possible reunion with soon-to-be Napoli manager Antonio Conte.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski has addressed speculation linking him with a possible move to Napoli to reunite with former boss Antonio Conte.

Conte is on the verge of being announced as Napoli's new head coach, 15 months after leaving his role as Spurs boss by mutual consent.

The 54-year-old has been identified as a replacement for temporary coach Francesco Calzona, whose time at the Serie A club has come to an end following the conclusion of a disappointing 2023-24 season.

Napoli won their first Scudetto title in 33 years in the 2022-23 season, but they slumped to a 10th-placed finish last season, finishing a staggering 41 points behind new champions Inter Milan and 15 points adrift of the Champions League positions.

Conte is tasked with returning Gli Azzurri to European football and competing for silverware, and the Italian has recently been linked with a number of his former Spurs players.

Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski celebrates scoring their second goal with Richarlison on December 15, 2023© Reuters

Kulusevski among several Spurs stars linked with an exit

The Evening Standard claims that both Kulusevski and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have been touted as potential targets for Napoli, as has defender Radu Dragusin who only arrived at Spurs in January.

Hojbjerg is increasingly likely to leave Spurs this summer in search of regular first-team football and could be one of up to 11 players who may be allowed to depart.

Tottenham attacker Richarlison was recently linked with a possible exit, but the Brazil international has since shut down those reports and labelled the rumours as "fake news".

Kulusevski is the latest Spurs star to address his future amid suggestions that he could reunite with Conte - who signed the winger during his time in North London - at his new club Napoli.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski on January 25, 2024© Reuters

Kulusevski planning Spurs stay amid Napoli links

Responding to questions about links with Napoli, Kulusevski told Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet: "I don't know anything about that. I have heard that Conte is going there. It will be fun to see him there, to see him back in football."

Asked specifically if he is set to stay at Tottenham for the 2024-25 campaign, the 24-year-old simply replied: "Yes, I think so."

Discussing his first season under Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, Kulusevski added: "It has been good. There have been incredibly high peaks and deep valleys. It was a slightly worse period at the end where some results went against us. We lost a little focus and belief in ourselves.

"It was still a fifth place and an incredibly positive season. Personally, I've made incredible strides and gotten so much better - the way I see the game, my physique, I only missed one game all season due to illness, zero injuries. I'm happy and satisfied."

Only two outfield players - Son Heung-min and Pedro Porro - played more minutes for Spurs in 2023-24 than Kulusevski, who contributed with eight goals and three assists in 36 Premier League appearances.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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