Tottenham’s new manager Roberto De Zerbi is planning a surprising triple raid on his former club Brighton to ignite a major summer rebuild in north London.
After successfully steering Spurs into the Premier League on a dramatic final day of the season, the Italian tactician wasted no time in shifting his focus to a complete overhaul of the squad.
De Zerbi has reportedly identified a trio of familiar Seagulls stars to form the backbone of his new team.
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Roberto De Zerbi wants Baleva, Van Hecke and Verbruggen
According to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, midfielder Carlos Baleva, defender Jan Paul van Hecke and goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen are at the top of De Zerbi’s summer transfer wish list.
Spurs are in desperate need of defensive stability and a ball-playing goalkeeper who fully understands De Zerbi’s risky build-from-the-back philosophy.
Despite the recent heroics of young prospect Antonin Kinski, Verbruggen fits the bill perfectly.
Meanwhile, the club’s reinforcements hope to completely rebuild their fragile backline by combining Van Hecke with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.
There is a recognition within Tottenham that all three players will be extremely difficult to sign, prompting leaders to keep an eye on alternative options such as Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, Manchester City’s John Stones and Burnley’s shot-stopper James Trafford.
Manchester United are likely to sign Baleva
Securing Carlos Baleva will undoubtedly be De Zerbi’s most difficult task.
The 22-year-old midfielder has made tremendous progress and Brighton are notoriously tough negotiators, reportedly placing an astronomical price tag of over £100m for their prized asset.
To make matters worse for Tottenham, Manchester United are now the favorites to sign the Cameroonian.
The Red Devils have been pursuing Valeva for years to strengthen their midfield and the absence of European football at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season could seriously hamper De Zerbi’s chances of winning a financial and sporting bidding war with Old Trafford.
De Zerbi has already made an immediate impact at Tottenham
A daunting summer awaits, but De Zerbi has already made an undeniable historic impact with the N17.
Arriving at the end of March to replace Igor Tudor with seven games remaining, he took over a struggling club that was staring at the depths of a devastating relegation.
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Living in a hotel at the club’s training ground and working around the clock, the Italian completely revitalized the dilapidated dressing room.
By adjusting the press and restoring the confidence of key figures such as Conor Gallagher and James Maddison, De Zerbi achieved a victory as manager, winning 11 of a possible 21 points.
Sunday’s tense 1-0 win against Everton ultimately sealed survival and confirmed De Zerbi as the essential man to lead Tottenham’s upcoming revolution.
