Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has sent a major warning to the rest of the Premier League by admitting that Spurs are far from finished in the summer transfer market.
Despite already completing six significant signings, the Italian tactician insists Tottenham still have important business to complete before the transfer window closes. With the new season rapidly approaching, De Zerbi appears determined to transform his squad into a team capable of competing at the highest level once again.
Spurs have already enjoyed a busy summer, bringing in experienced names and exciting young talent. Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dúbravka arrived as free agents, while Tottenham have also spent heavily to secure Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, De Zerbi clearly believes those additions are only the beginning.
Speaking to Sky Italia, with his comments relayed by Gianluca Di Marzio, the Tottenham boss revealed that the club remains actively involved in the market and is working hard to complete the squad.
“I think we’re working well. Now we’ll carry on: we’ve still got 10 days before the league starts,” De Zerbi explained.
The manager stressed that Tottenham are not simply chasing famous names. Instead, they are looking for players with the mentality, character and ambition required to build a winning team.
“We’ve tried to sign players who are the right fit in terms of character too. Good people, with a positive attitude, who are ambitious and hungry,” he said.
That statement could be particularly important as Spurs look to rebuild following a difficult campaign. Tottenham finished 17th last season, narrowly avoiding relegation, and failed to qualify for European football.
De Zerbi knows that a dramatic transformation is required.
The attack appears to be one of the biggest priorities. Tottenham are reportedly looking at attacking reinforcements, with Manchester City star Savinho and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo among the names linked with a move.
Savinho could represent a fascinating option for De Zerbi, particularly given his creativity, speed and ability to operate in dangerous attacking areas. Meanwhile, Gakpo would provide Premier League experience and another powerful option capable of changing games.
With Tottenham already spending heavily this summer, supporters will be watching closely to see whether the club is prepared to make another major statement before deadline day.
One player who has already become central to De Zerbi’s plans is record signing Sandro Tonali.
Tottenham reportedly paid a club-record €116 million to bring the Italy international from Newcastle United, and De Zerbi believes the midfielder has everything required to become one of the leaders of the new Spurs project.
“I convinced him myself; I told him the truth: I always say what I think, and I believe he has always been a leader in top teams,” De Zerbi said.
The manager believes Tonali possessed leadership qualities from a remarkably young age, recalling how impressed he was when watching the midfielder during his Brescia days.
“He was already a leader when I used to watch Brescia: even at 18, he played like a veteran,” De Zerbi added.
That belief explains why Tottenham were willing to make such an enormous investment.
For De Zerbi, however, rebuilding Tottenham is about much more than individual players. He wants to create a united dressing room capable of handling the enormous pressure that comes with playing in England’s top flight.
The manager described this season as Tottenham’s “first real year” of rebuilding, contrasting it sharply with the previous campaign.
“Last year was a struggle just to survive; this year we can start afresh to build something lasting in Europe’s toughest league,” he said.
That ambition will excite Spurs supporters, particularly after a campaign that left the club dangerously close to the relegation battle.
De Zerbi also reflected on the cultural differences between English and Italian football. He noted that England has fewer training camps, which he believes can provide valuable opportunities for players and staff to spend more time together.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Italian football carries a different kind of pressure, with clubs and supporters sometimes creating intense expectations internally.
Now, Tottenham have the opportunity to start again.
The foundations have already been laid with six arrivals, but De Zerbi’s latest comments suggest the transfer story is nowhere near finished. If Spurs manage to add further attacking quality before the window closes, the Italian could have the ingredients needed to launch one of the most dramatic rebuilds in the Premier League.
Tottenham fans will now be waiting anxiously for the next major development. With De Zerbi demanding more and the club still hunting for reinforcements, another huge signing could be just around the corner.
