Who is Marcos Leonardo? Tottenham’s Roberto De Zerbi’s top target is £55m Saudi Professional League star

Tottenham Hotspur have jumped into the race to sign a ‘special’ striker who has emerged as a top target following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi joins Spurs on five-year contract

De Zerbi has officially signed a five-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the new manager speaking for the first time since his appointment was confirmed. “I am delighted to be joining this great football club, one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.

“In all our discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future was clear: to build a team capable of achieving great things, and to deliver 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 do everything I can to make it happen.”

The Italian’s top priority is to keep Tottenham in the Premier League, and he could be on the lookout for that given the team are on a 13-game winless run, with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace near the end of 2025.

First up for De Zerbi is a trip to the Stadium of Light, which is likely to be a difficult task given Sunderland have lost just three home games all season, an impressive record for a recently promoted team.

If the former Brighton manager can keep the Lilywhites in the top flight, his next job will be to strengthen the squad in the summer, with bringing in a new striker on the to-do list.

Spurs enter race to sign new striker, Richarlison’s future uncertain

Tottenham have made Al Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo their number one target in the summer transfer window following his impressive performance in Saudi Arabia, Sports Boom reports.

Liverpool are also very keen to sign the centre-forward, but the deal could be very expensive, with Al Hilal expected to hold on for at least £50m to £55m.

The interest in the Saudi Professional League star comes as questions remain over Richarlison’s future, with the Brazilian considering a return to his home country this summer.

Hailed as a “special player” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Al Hilal star has been a regular on Al Hilal’s scoresheet this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.

The Brazilian has averaged 0.77 goals per 90 goals in the Saudi Professional League, which is better than teammate and former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema (0.73 goals), and the 22-year-old could be a solid option as Richarlison’s long-term successor.

However, Spurs may be hoping the 54-cap Brazil international chooses to remain in north London at the end of the season, given he has been one of the few bright spots in the Premier League this season, scoring nine goals.