Roberto De Zerbi has been handed a summer transfer budget by the Tottenham Hotspur board and has wasted no time in drawing up a list of priorities for a rebuild that will define the club's next era following their remarkable escape from relegation in the final weeks of the season.
De Zerbi's arrival in late March transformed a squad that had gone the entire 2026 calendar year without a league win into a side that won three of their final five fixtures and ultimately survived at the expense of West Ham United. The Italian has now been granted the time and resources to reshape the squad in his own image ahead of his first full season in charge.
De Zerbi's transfer wishlist
The priority is a new goalkeeper to replace Guglielmo Vicario, who has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan ahead of a summer exit. De Zerbi has approved a move for Brighton's Bart Verbruggen — the 23-year-old Dutch international he personally signed during his time at the Amex — as his preferred first choice. Two midfielders are also on the list, with the manager wanting one defensive and one creative option to provide the tactical foundation his side lacked this season.
The future of Pape Matar Sarr remains the most pressing question. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG have all registered interest in the Senegal international, who was Tottenham's standout individual in a miserable campaign. De Zerbi is determined to keep him and has made clear in discussions with the board that Sarr's retention is central to his project. Destiny Udogie is also reportedly the subject of a Juventus swap enquiry that the club have not yet formally rejected.
The scale of the reset is significant. Xavi Simons suffered an ACL rupture in April and will not return until 2027. Vicario departs. Cristian Romero is out until pre-season. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both return fit. De Zerbi has spoken of building a squad that reflects clear principles — intensity, bravery, identity — and the summer will be the first real test of whether the board will back those words with action.
