Roberto De Zerbi is looking to reshape his Tottenham Hotspur squad significantly as the summer transfer window officially swings into action this week.
The Italian manager guided Spurs to a troubling 17th-place finish last season, and he is determined not to endure another campaign so close to the relegation zone.
De Zerbi was frank about the state of his roster after the final match of the season, making clear that wholesale changes are coming to north London this summer.
“We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay,” De Zerbi said. “Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”
Tottenham have already moved to strengthen their defensive options, securing deals for Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi, both of whom were available as free agents.
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is firmly on Spurs’ radar, with the club having already seen two bids rejected for the 26-year-old, who previously worked under De Zerbi at the Amex Stadium.
Van Hecke has been ahead of Tottenham’s own Micky van de Ven in the Netherlands international pecking order, adding further appeal to a player the manager clearly views as central to his plans.
The defender recently addressed his future, saying: “I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And I have that too. 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.”
A potential Van Hecke arrival would accelerate the departure of Cristian Romero, with the Argentine centre-back’s place increasingly under threat despite making 32 appearances last season before a knee injury cut his campaign short.
The 28-year-old World Cup winner would still command strong interest from elsewhere, though reported links to Manchester United have been dismissed by those close to the situation.
Young Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic also faces an uncertain future at Spurs after impressing on loan at Hamburg, where he scored six goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances during the season.
Brighton are reported to have offered £30 million for the 19-year-old, and while Tottenham would ideally prefer a loan arrangement, a strong World Cup showing could generate an offer the club simply cannot refuse.
Joao Palhinha is expected to complete a permanent move to Spurs after his loan stint from Bayern Munich, with a £25.8 million buy option built into last season’s agreement now coming into focus.
The Portugal international made his feelings clear at the end of the campaign, saying: “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 added: “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.”
Manchester City winger Savinho remains another target, with a £60 million fee floated for the Brazilian despite him scoring just one Premier League goal last term after joining City from Troyes in 2024.
The 22-year-old missed out on Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, and with Pep Guardiola’s departure from the Etihad creating uncertainty, Savinho may well be open to a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Tottenham’s summer activity promises to be relentless as De Zerbi attempts to build a squad capable of competing at the top end of the Premier League table next season.
The post Tottenham Eye Jan Paul Van Hecke, Joao Palhinha And Savinho As Cristian Romero Faces Spurs Exit appeared first on Gooner Daily.
