Tottenham Hotspur are set for a hectic summer as Roberto De Zerbi looks to reshape his squad in the transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur will expect to be busy as the summer transfer window officially opens on Monday. Manager Roberto De Zerbi will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last season’s relegation scrap after steering Spurs to 17th place.
Deals have already been struck with Liverpool icon Andy Robertson and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi after both reached the end of their respective contracts. However, the Spurs boss made it clear that not all of his squad would be remaining at the club beyond the end of the season.
“We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay,” De Zerbi said after the last match of the campaign. “Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”
While attention will be paid to who Tottenham can sign to improve their team, several players will be heading for the exit door. football.london looks at the possible moves Spurs could complete at the start of the transfer window.
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Jan Paul van Hecke – In
Spurs have already seen two bids rejected for the Brighton defender. Jan Paul van Hecke previously played under De Zerbi during his time with the Seagulls and the Italian coach has identified him as a crucial part of his revamped backline.
Notably, Van Hecke has been ahead of Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven in the Netherlands pecking order. The 26-year-old recently claimed he is clear about where his future lies but is currently focused on the World Cup.
“I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And I have that too,” he explained. “But then for now for myself it’s just clear. I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible. That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone.”
Cristian Romero – Out
A deal for Van Hecke would have a knock-on effect for Tottenham’s other transfer plans. The centre-back occupies the same side as Cristian Romero, who looks increasingly likely to seal a move away this summer.
The 28-year-old made 32 appearances but was sidelined with a knee injury at the end of the season. Romero was the subject of fan backlash after being scheduled not to attend the club’s final game after travelling to Argentina, but later returned to England for the match.
The potential arrival of Van Hecke suggests that Romero’s time at Spurs could be coming to an end. The World Cup winner would still command considerable interest, though links with Manchester United have been dismissed.
Luka Vuskovic – Out
Tottenham’s decision to sign Van Hecke and Senesi could also lead to a difficult decision regarding Luka Vuskovic. The Croatian defender earned many plaudits for his loan spell at Hamburg, where he scored six goals in 28 Bundesliga games.
The 19-year-old is primed to play a pivotal role for his country at the World Cup, which will only increase the attention surrounding Vuskovic. The Athletic reported that Brighton recently offered ÂŁ30m for the centre-back, which is claimed to fit his plan for the next step of his career.
Vuskovic is considered one of the most promising defenders in European football but the arrivals of Van Hecke and Senesi, alongside Van de Ven, are likely to limit his game time at Spurs. In an ideal world, Tottenham would send the teenager out on loan but an impressive World Cup could lead the club to get an offer that is too good to turn down.
Joao Palhinha – In
A relatively simple move if both parties want to get a deal over the line. Joao Palhinha spent last season on loan at Spurs from Bayern Munich and was a regular in midfield.
The Portugal international’s loan deal included a £25.8million buy option. While it remains to be seen if a deal is done at that price, the 30-year-old was eager to remain a Spurs player at the end of last season.
“I always shared my thoughts. Since the first day I arrived I feel at home. From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here? I have everything here,” Palhinha said. “But this is like a marriage. What I can say to you is I would really like to be here and I enjoy it a lot this season with this club even being a tough season.”
Savinho – In
This isn’t the first window in which Savinho has been linked with a Tottenham switch. A move for the Manchester City winger didn’t come to fruition last summer but his status within the squad at the Etihad Stadium hasn’t solidified in the meantime.
The Brazilian, signed from Troyes in 2024, scored just one Premier League goal last term. Pep Guardiola’s City exit could leave him waiting to see if a new manager likes him better but he may prefer a change of surroundings.
Despite the 22-year-old missing the cut for Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, a ÂŁ60m fee has been floated. That doesn’t appear to have deterred Spurs, despite him not yet hitting top gear in English football.
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