Robert De Zerbi will be determined to install his ideas as quickly as possible, and a couple of new faces could speed up the process.
Roberto De Zerbi appears to have already begun preparations for the summer transfer window. The Italian will be desperate to bolster his armoury at the end of the season, regardless of whether Tottenham Hotspur are in the Premier League or the Championship.
De Zerbi has been tasked with keeping the Lilywhites in the English top-flight, but he’ll eventually be expected to compete for qualification to the UEFA Champions League. Although Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange have backed the 46-year-old to do so, having offered a long-term contract, they’ll need to welcome a couple of new faces to the squad.
Fortunately for the Tottenham chiefs, De Zerbi already has a player in mind. According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, before putting pen to paper, the former Marseille boss discussed potential transfer targets and his long-term vision with Spurs higher-ups.
The report claimed that De Zerbi suggested the signing of Manuel Locatelli. The Juventus captain, who’s been linked with a move to Arsenal on numerous occasions in the past, only has two years or so left on his contract in Turin, potentially making him available for a discounted fee.
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Locatelli has featured 39 times across all competitions this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists from holding midfield. Not only would the 28-year-old steady the ship in the middle of the park, he’d also offer some much-needed leadership.
Back in September 2024, Locatelli was asked whether he regrets snubbing a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Italy international, whom Juventus signed from Sassuolo, ahead of Arsenal, for about £30m in 2021, told Tuttosport: “No. But I love watching football, and I like watching their games and I respect their coach, Arteta.”
The Sassuolo CEO confirmed at the time that the Gunners had submitted a bid for Locatelli. As quoted by the Evening Standard, Giovanni Carnevali said: “Locatelli wants to join Juventus.
“However, the club needs to reach an agreement with us. We’ll see if there are the right conditions to make it happen, otherwise he is staying with us. We’ll speak to Juve.
“Locatelli also has proposals from Arsenal and another English club that has now joined the race, so he must make a decision, or of course he could stay with us.”
Up to 70% off Spurs kits and merch
Various Prices
Kitbag
Buy Now on Kitbag
Kitbag has slashed the price of Tottenham Hotspur kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.
In the meantime, De Zerbi will be focused on preparing his new side for a trip to the Stadium of Light. Upon his unveiling as the new Spurs head coach, the Italian, who began his coaching career at Sassuolo, said: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.
“In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.
“I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it. Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season.
“I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”
