Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Tottenham's board has upheld its promises regarding player recruitment, with the club nearing a deal for Savinho from Manchester City that could reach £85 million.
De Zerbi indicated that Tottenham is "not finished yet" in the transfer market. A move for Omar Marmoush, also from Manchester City, is reportedly developing, and the club is interested in signing Cody Gakpo from Liverpool. If these potential deals materialize, the summer spending could approach £400 million on nine new players, marking a substantial shift in the club's transfer policy.
"I am very happy," De Zerbi stated ahead of the Premier League opener at Brentford. "They kept their word, kept what they said before I came at the end of March. But what we are doing is not for the coach. It’s for the club, for the fans, for the history of the club, for the pride of the club, and for the level of the club. This moment is crucial. We have to change the mood completely."
De Zerbi, who guided Spurs to safety from relegation in the final games of last season, expressed that this achievement was "maybe the best moment in football" for him. He has pledged to set ambitious targets, acknowledging the need to move beyond two consecutive 17th-place finishes.
"Now is not the right moment," De Zerbi said regarding specific targets. "Now is the moment to think about Brentford, to complete the transfer market and then to follow the first two targets – to find the soul of the team and the style of play. Then we can fix what target you want without arrogance but also with big ambitions because this is Tottenham, not another smaller team."
He envisions a squad that, after the current transfer window, will require minimal additions for a considerable period, allowing for focused development. "When we have finished in this transfer market, for a long time we don’t need many things and we can work all together in the right condition, in the right direction, to build step by step something special, or anyway to go to compete for the top of the table."
De Zerbi has named Micky van de Ven as the new club captain, with Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison, and Archie Gray serving as vice-captains. However, Van de Ven and Porro will not be available for the match against Brentford. Davies is unlikely to start, and Maddison is not guaranteed to play due to a minor preseason injury, potentially leaving 20-year-old Gray to lead the team.
Lucas Bergvall, who had previously expressed a desire to leave amid interest from other clubs, has reportedly changed his mind and is committed to staying with Tottenham. "He wants to stay and we have no problem. He’s a top-potential player," De Zerbi confirmed.
Several players could still depart before the transfer window closes. Galatasaray has expressed interest in Pape Matar Sarr, and Destiny Udogie has admirers in Italy. With an excess of left-backs and Richarlison having one year remaining on his contract, departures are possible if new forwards like Marmoush are acquired. Teenage winger Mikey Moore is expected to join Cologne on loan following the arrivals of Savinho and Gakpo.
De Zerbi aims for a competitive squad of 21 or 22 players and emphasized that no player is guaranteed a starting position. "I love speaking clearly," he said. "Today is August 21 and every one of those players knows the squad. If one of them doesn’t want to accept the competition inside the dressing room, they can leave.
"I try to be honest and take decisions to find the best first XI, but the players have to accept if we want to become better, to compete for the top of the table, 11 players are not enough, 15 players are not enough. If you analyse Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Milan, there is a big competition inside the dressing room."