Tottenham's Transfer Window: De Zerbi Wants One More Signing
Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear: Tottenham’s transfer business is not done yet.
With the deadline looming on Tuesday at 11pm, the Spurs head coach wants one more signing, and the club’s pursuit of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is gathering pace in the final stretch of the window.
“I didn't expect a transfer window like we have done,” De Zerbi told reporters on Friday, reflecting on a hectic first summer in charge. Then came the pointed line. “I think we can do one player more in one specific position.”
This is not a manager sniping from the sidelines. De Zerbi stressed that the club hierarchy are aligned with him. He revealed a dinner summit on Thursday night with the owners, sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, where transfer plans were laid out.
“Yesterday we went to dinner with the owners, Johan and Vinai and we spoke about this,” he said. “All of us are on the same page and a very good connection.”
Tottenham are understood to be serious about Gakpo and are expected to ramp up efforts to prise the Dutchman away from Anfield before the window shuts. The forward’s versatility across the front line fits the profile Spurs have been tracking, and De Zerbi’s public nudge only underlines the desire to add another attacking option.
The late-window traffic will not only be incoming. De Zerbi expects a busy few days as players on the fringes push for moves away.
“I've been very clear with all the players: if you speak clearly you can't expect surprises,” he said. “The players who wanted to leave have left. We maybe have some players who want to leave and they are waiting, we are waiting for an offer.”
That clarity comes with a challenge to those who stay.
“You have to feel proud to stay here,” De Zerbi added. “It's an emotional project we are building with new players.”
One of the unresolved stories is Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder has drawn interest during the window and has not featured in either of Spurs’ first two league games, fuelling speculation over his future.
De Zerbi insisted the situation is not about fitness. “Pape is good [fitness-wise],” he said. “We have to see in the last days of the transfer market what can happen with him.”
So the picture is set for the final act of the window: a manager pushing for one more key signing, a club chasing Cody Gakpo, and a handful of players waiting to see if the right offer lands before the clock runs out.
