Tottenham have entered into negotiations to sign former Barcelona player Roberto De Zerbi following a verbal agreement with Andy Robertson.
Spurs sign verbal agreement with Robertson on free transfer
Robertson’s deal to join Tottenham this summer could be significant business if he can avoid being released.
This is a free acquisition for a player who has appeared in 400 Premier League games and has nearly 69 assists in the top flight, and will bring immediate leadership to a dressing room that has been severely lacking in leadership up until now.
The deal has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano with all personal conditions in place and is contingent on one condition: Spurs securing their place in the Premier League. If they go down, Robertson will go elsewhere.
This background is important in understanding why the January window migration failed.
Tottenham came close to signing Robertson midway through the season, with both players open to a move.
Tottenham move into relegation zone after final six Premier League games | date |
|---|---|
Brighton (home) | April 18th |
Wolves (away) | April 25th |
Aston Villa (away) | May 2nd |
Leeds (home) | May 11th |
Chelsea (away) | May 17th |
Everton (home) | May 24th |
The problem was on Liverpool’s side. The club were unable to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan to Roma, Robertson was made ineligible for compensation and Liverpool refused to allow him to leave.
Roberto De Zerbi asks Tottenham star to improve subtle messages in press conferences
The Italians want him to roll back the years.
Robertson himself handled the situation professionally and finished the second half of the season safely. He is set to leave Anfield in the summer despite losing his place in the first team to Milos Kerkes.
Robertson is not the only player in Spurs’ lineup as part of De Zerbi’s aggressive summer recruitment.
Tottenham are in talks to sign Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza
According to TEAMtalk’s Graham Bailey, Tottenham are one of the clubs that have entered into negotiations with the agent for Spanish right-back Oscar Mingueza, whose contract with Celta Vigo expires at the end of this season.
More than six Premier League clubs have now been approached by the 26-year-old’s representatives, including Spurs, with reports saying there is “interest and intrigue” from both sides.
Mingueza came through Barcelona’s youth ranks and played 46 La Liga games over two seasons with the first team before joining Celta in 2022.
He has improved greatly since leaving Camp Nou, establishing himself as a consistently reliable performer in La Liga.
He primarily played on the right flank, functioning as a full-back or wing-back with the technical qualities expected from a Barcelona product, and featured in European competitions throughout his career.
Barcelona have also made contact and are exploring the possibility of bringing him back to Catalonia. A return to his former club comes with obvious appeal, and the prospects of Champions League football next season naturally give the Spanish giants an advantage in the conversation.
Mingueza’s availability as a free agent makes him an attractive option for Tottenham as they look to rebuild their squad without spending too much, and they have also recently been linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.
Regardless of whether staying in the Premier League changes the scope of what is financially possible, the addition of the talent of Robertson on the left and Mingueza on the right will address two pressing positional needs that De Zerbi inherited.
However, nothing has been agreed and Mingueza’s priority will be to find a club that offers him the best chance of playing regularly.
De Zerbi asks Tottenham to sign ‘little superstar’ Arsenal want in 2023, he is keen to join
The Italian has personally been shortlisted as a summer target.
