Tottenham are in talks with representatives of Barcelona’s esteemed target, with Roberto De Zerbi and others offering them the chance to sign him this summer.
Spurs are set for a busy summer under De Zerbi if they avoid relegation.
There’s something almost defiant about the speed with which Tottenham have moved since De Zerbi’s appointment was confirmed this week.
A club that had spent the season in a state of turmoil, with three managers, a point within the relegation zone and a home fan whose frustrations had long since hardened into something darker, suddenly came alive with purpose.
It’s not because the underlying problem has been resolved, it clearly hasn’t.
But De Zerbi, the Italian who has been said to be sporting director Johan Lange’s number one target from the moment this summer was first talked about, has the credibility to cut through the noise and create room for optimism in a crisis.
The hefty five-year contract that has made him one of England’s highest-paid managers is intentional. This person is not a politician hired to hold the line.
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Spurs appear to be waving goodbye.
It’s a guy hired to build something, he’s given more direct authority to shape that build than the Spurs manager typically has, and he has a greater say in transfer decisions than a standard head coaching arrangement.
The immediate challenge, of course, is survival.
His first game will be on April 12, when Spurs take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. With seven games left, one point will separate them from the leaders.
However, while the battle for its survival is unfolding, preparations for next season have already begun.
Juventus captain and Italy international Manuel Locatelli, with whom De Zerbi worked at Sassuolo a decade ago, is thought to be his first personal transfer target.
The appointment also appears to have reignited the pursuit of Brighton goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen, 23, who performed outstandingly under De Zerby at the Amex.
Spurs reportedly want him as a long-term successor to Guglielmo Vicario, who is said to have given the green light to join Inter Milan, but signing Verbruggen will not be easy.
But supporting these potential additions are more pressing structural needs.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could leave Spurs this summer, leaving a huge hole in the heart of a defense that has struggled for consistency all season.
This reality makes what TEAMtalk’s Graham Bailey revealed this week all the more real.
Tottenham negotiate with Marcos Senesi’s agent over free transfer
According to his information, Marcos Senesi’s agent has contacted Tottenham specifically about the Bosman’s possible move to Bournemouth as a centre-back this summer.
The Argentine has already informed Bournemouth that he will not extend his stay at the Vitality Stadium, putting him on the free transfer market at a time when Spurs’ defensive rebuild is in dire need of an affordable and experienced solution.
Left-footed and calm in possession, Senesi has played consistently in 30 league games this season, contributing to nine clean sheets for Andoni Iraola’s side, and is exactly the technically accomplished defender De Zerbi’s system requires.
His main target is Barcelona, his agent is in direct negotiations and dreams of Camp Nou remain strong.
The stumbling block is that the Catalan club has prioritized Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni above all else, and Senej’s situation remains uncertain until that pursuit is brought to a conclusion.
Senesi is Barcelona’s immediate replacement if Bastoni proves unavailable, but the wait could be long.
For Spurs, the appeal of signing a “valuable” Premier League-quality centre-back at zero cost is clear, as their defense is undergoing significant consolidation.
Whether De Zerbi will make Senesi a real priority will depend on how the coming weeks unfold, but it appears the opening exchange has taken place.
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