Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham are “not finished yet” in the transfer market, with the club closing in on a £75million deal for Manchester City winger Savinho.
Tottenham have an agreement to sign the Brazil international for £75million, plus £10m in potential add-ons, and are also targeting his City team-mate Omar Marmoush. Spurs have also had interest this summer in Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo.
Summer spending to exceed £300m
Savinho’s signing would take Tottenham’s summer spending beyond £300m, having twice smashed their transfer record this window with the £85m arrival of Mateus Fernandes followed by Sandro Tonali’s £100m move from Newcastle.
“It is not right to speak about players until they are official,” De Zerbi said in response to a question about Savinho. “Just to say, I am very happy. We have not finished yet in the transfer market. It is an important part. You don’t win the game with big-name players, we have to deserve to win games.”
De Zerbi on project and challenges
“So far, we have had a great [summer for] signings. Great players and personalities. But you don’t win the game with big-name players. We have to deserve to win games.”
The Spurs boss added: “We are working very well with Johan Lange, with Vinai [Venkatesham], and with Nick [Beucher] — with the whole board.”
De Zerbi gave his verdict on his start at Spurs, having been appointed in March and successfully guiding the club away from relegation on the final day of the previous season.
“It feels like I’ve been here ten years, but just three months,” De Zerbi said. “Three very intense months. We can’t forget what happened last season. It’s a big lesson for us. We are building a big project.”
The Italian set out his two “big challenges” for Tottenham this summer, which he said he hopes his team will achieve as soon as possible. “Now the big challenge — the first two targets — we are very clear in ourselves, is to find the soul of the team. The second target is to improve in our organisation of football, with the ball and without the ball.”
“Our style has to be the key of our season. These two characteristics I want to find as soon as possible.”
