Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that he will not stand in Djed Spence's way if the full-back wants to leave Tottenham this summer. Spence is attracting interest from Everton and Inter Milan after an impressive World Cup campaign with England, where he featured in all eight matches and started the semi-final defeat to Argentina.
De Zerbi's stance on Spence
Spence started 23 Premier League games last season as Spurs narrowly avoided relegation. De Zerbi wants him to stay but is clear that he will not keep players against their will. The Tottenham boss said: "I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas. I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave."
Spence is currently behind Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro in the pecking order at right-back. Porro started 32 of Spurs' 38 league games last season and recently signed a new contract. Spence can also play at left-back but faces competition from new arrival Andy Robertson and Destiny Udogie.
Romero's gentleman's agreement
Captain Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are widely expected to leave before the end of the transfer window. De Zerbi admitted a gentleman's agreement has been in place since he arrived to help Romero depart if Spurs avoided relegation.
The Italian said: "At the beginning of my time in April I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings. And the players told me if they are (staying) here (or not). I said: 'Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me'."
Spurs have spent a club-record £237 million on six incomings this summer and are finalising a number of departures.
