Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly looking to bring in players from his former club, Brighton, as part of a significant overhaul at Tottenham Hotspur. The manager has identified several key targets, including Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Bart Verbruggen. These players are seen as potential additions to strengthen the squad and align with De Zerbi’s playing style.
However, De Zerbi acknowledges that not all of these transfers may be possible. As a result, Tottenham is also exploring other options, such as Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, Andy Robertson from Liverpool, and James Trafford from Manchester City. The club is even considering a move for John Stones, who could provide much-needed leadership on the pitch.
Tottenham’s management has shown full support for De Zerbi following his appointment in April, which was described as a “Hail Mary” move to keep the club in the Premier League. De Zerbi is now focused on bringing in players who can quickly adapt to his tactics and philosophy. He has expressed particular interest in the Brighton trio, whom he considers to be his own.
Among these, Baleba is expected to be the most challenging to sign, as Brighton is demanding over £100 million for him. There is also competition from Manchester United, which complicates the situation further. De Zerbi is also keen to find a new goalkeeper, despite the recent performances of Antonin Kinsky. Bart Verbruggen, who already understands De Zerbi’s style, is seen as a strong candidate for this role.
The club is also looking to reinforce its defensive options by signing both Van Hecke and Senesi. Meanwhile, Luka Vuskovic, a highly-rated young defender, is expected to sign a new contract with Tottenham before being loaned back to Hamburg. His impressive season with Hamburg, where he finished as the league’s highest-scoring defender with six goals, along with a 69.1% duel success rate, earned him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
Micky van de Ven, another central defender, is keen to stay at the club, as he plays a crucial role in De Zerbi’s defensive strategy.
If any of the main targets fall through, John Stones could become a more attractive option for Tottenham. De Zerbi recognises the importance of leadership on the pitch, which is why the club has maintained interest in Andy Robertson following his emotional departure from Liverpool.
The club’s recent achievement of securing Premier League safety has opened up new opportunities, extending beyond just football. This includes potential roles in football leadership and executive positions.
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