Sources: Tottenham make Dejan Kulusevski contract decision after return update

Tottenham Hotspur are “more than happy” to discuss a new contract with Dejan Kulusevski if he can make a steady return to action, sources have told Football Insider. 

The 26-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2028, but the Lilywhites are prepared to hand him an extension if he can prove his fitness.

The Sweden international hasn’t made a competitive appearance for the North London outfit, but he is finally back in first-team training with the rest of the squad.

Nevertheless, sources say that Spurs intend to “tread carefully” in terms of the midfielder’s long-term future, and remain concerned about his fitness levels.

Kulusevski suffered a serious injury to his kneecap, and there are doubts as to whether he will return as the same player. 

He notched seven goals and four assists in his last Premier League campaign, but is now approaching the stage where his long-term future must be addressed.

Tottenham to tackle futures of long-term absentees

Tottenham do not have many first-team contracts to deal with ahead of next summer, with only the fringe trio of Richarlison, Ben Davies and Martin Dubravka nearing expiration.

However, it will be a slightly different story in 2028, when both Kulusevski and James Maddison could potentially walk away from the club for free.

Both stars have faced at least the best part of a year on the sidelines since the start of last season, and have fallen away from Roberto De Zerbi’s thinking as a result.

Maddison has played just 59 minutes of Premier League football this season, while Kulusevski is still waiting for his long-awaited return.

The duo are both facing a situation where they must prove their fitness to the club, or their long-term futures will be cast into doubt.

Tottenham still have enough security on their contracts for now, but they won’t want to run the risk of losing either on a free transfer. 

Spurs forced into £50m ‘sacrifice’ due to ‘lack of planning’

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Tottenham were effectively forced to “sacrifice” centre-back Luka Vuskovic due to a “lack of succession planning."

The 19-year-old starlet joined Brighton in a £50million deal this summer, with Jan Paul van Hecke heading in the other direction for £52m.

Wyness made it clear that the Seagulls appear to have won the deal at this stage, and believes that Spurs will live to regret letting Vuskovic go. 

He made it clear that a lack of long-term planning left the Croatian with limited opportunities to break into the fold in North London, and the club were forced to pay the price of losing him as a result.