'I want to stay': Dejan Kulusevski insists his permanent transfer to Tottenham will not be impacted by Antonio Conte's future... with the club expected to sack the Italian following his extraordinary press conference

Dejan Kulusevski has insisted uncertainty over Antonio Conte's future as Tottenham head coach will not impact his permanent transfer to the club.

Tottenham are preparing talks with Antonio Conte over the terms of his expected exit from the club, with the Italian having just three months left on his current deal.

His departure appears to have been hastened by a blistering tirade against his own players in the aftermath of Saturday's 3-3 draw against Southampton.

Kulusevski was asked about his own future while on international duty with Sweden, with the 22-year-old having initially joined Spurs on an 18-month loan deal from Juventus in January 2022.

Tottenham reportedly have an obligation to pay £31million for Kulusevski if he plays at least 20 Premier League games this season and the club finish in the top four, while there is an option to buy should they miss out of Champions League qualification.

Kulusevski has been a key player since moving to Spurs on loan, having played 47 matches and being instrumental in the club’s late push to finish fourth last season. 

'Conte situation will not affect the club's buy option for me, absolutely not,' Kulusevski told reporters.

'I want to stay at Spurs, of course.'

Conte's astonishing 10-minute press conference saw the 53-year-old accuse his players of being 'selfish', after Spurs threw away a 3-1 lead to draw at bottom side Southampton.

He claimed his players were not able to play under pressure and lacked fighting spirit, saying he could no longer 'hide' his real feelings.  

Kulusevski told he took no offence to Conte's comments, with the forward saying he could look himself in the mirror.

'I know I prepare myself to do as good as I can and that's why I can always look at myself in the mirror,' he said. 'Sometimes I know I don't play good enough and I can take responsibility for that. 

'But what he said was for him, they were his words and I respect him a lot. 

'He helped me a lot during my career and he's still a very important man at the club.

'He was very disappointed, as we were as players, and we have to accept that. We lost in the cups and went out of the Champions League, so I know we have to sometimes be sad and angry, and that's how he took it. 

'Somebody else would take it another way, we have to respect his words.'

Midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg called on Conte to be 'more precise' with his criticism while on international duty with Denmark.

Spurs currently sit fourth in the Premier League, but Newcastle and Liverpool in fifth and sixth respectively have two games in hand over the north London club.