Tottenham’s interest in Club Brugge wonderkid Antonio Nusa has put off London rivals Chelsea and Fulham, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (20 January) that Spurs are pushing hard for a £25m January transfer for the 18-year-old.
Ange Postecoglou is now in a position to seal a deal for Nusa before the 1 February deadline.
Chelsea and Fulham were interested in the teenager, but Tottenham took the initiative, offering to loan the youngster to Bruges until the end of the 2023-24 season.
This factor convinced the player, who wanted to stay in Belgium until the summer window.
A well-informed source told Football Insider that Spurs have “stolen a march” on their London rivals by striking an early deal to bring Nusa to the club in the summer.
The Norway international will become the latest young talent to join the Lilywhites, who favour contracts with players under the age of 24.
Destiny Udogie was loaned back to Udinese in a similar fashion last season after agreeing to join Spurs in 2022 – and has already thrived in the Premier League this season.
Nusa, who plays mainly on the left wing, has scored three goals and three assists in 26 games so far in the 2023-24 season.
The teenager has made four senior appearances for Norway, scoring one goal and four assists.
He has collected 62 games for Brugge since joining Stabaek in 2021 and will stay in Belgium to help the club to success in the league and in Europe.