Roberto De Zerbi is plotting a triple raid on former club Brighton as he looks to reshape Tottenham’s squad ahead of next season.
The Italian head coach secured Premier League survival on the final day, and has already turned his attention toward a significant summer rebuild at the club.
De Zerbi has identified midfielder Carlos Baleba, defender Jan Paul van Hecke, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as his primary transfer targets this window.
All three players worked under De Zerbi during his time at Brighton, and the manager wants familiar faces to anchor his new-look Tottenham side.
Verbruggen fits De Zerbi’s preferred profile of a ball-playing goalkeeper capable of executing a high-risk, build-from-the-back system with confidence and precision.
Youth prospect Antonin Kinsky has shown promise at Spurs, but the club’s hierarchy views Verbruggen as the long-term first choice between the posts.
Van Hecke is also high on the recruitment list, with Tottenham reportedly keen to pair the Brighton centre-back alongside Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi to strengthen a vulnerable defence.
There is an internal acceptance at the club that completing all three signings in a single window will prove extremely difficult given the financial and competitive landscape.
Alternative names on Tottenham’s radar include Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, Manchester City’s John Stones, and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, should primary targets prove unattainable.
Baleba represents the most complicated piece of business, with Brighton placing a reported price tag of over £100 million on the 22-year-old Cameroonian midfielder.
Manchester United currently hold favourites status to sign Baleba, having tracked him for some time as they seek midfield reinforcements of their own.
Tottenham’s absence from European competition next season could hinder their ability to compete with United in any potential bidding war for the player’s signature.
De Zerbi arrived at Tottenham in late March, replacing Igor Tudor with the club dangerously close to relegation and only seven games left to play.
The Italian moved into the training ground hotel and committed himself fully to stabilising a squad that had been struggling badly for form and confidence.
He adjusted the team’s pressing structure and restored belief in key figures including Conor Gallagher and James Maddison over the final weeks of the campaign.
Tottenham collected 11 points from a possible 21 under De Zerbi, culminating in a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day that confirmed their top-flight status.
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