Roberto De Zerbi plots Tottenham's big summer rebuild with Luka Vuskovic decision and priority signing | OneFootball

Spurs facing most important window in many years as De Zerbi targets signings to avoid a repeat of relegation battle next season

Determined to rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Tottenham have already been busy in the summer transfer window.

Defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have arrived on free transfers while negotiations continue for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.

Coupled with Pedro Porro signing a new long-term contract, it is clear that Spurs want to learn from last season's mistakes and build a team that can compete for a top-four finish again.

Spurs are expected to remain active in the transfer window. Having attempted to address the leadership void within the squad, Roberto De Zerbi is prioritising attacking reinforcements and potentially a new goalkeeper as he looks to overhaul his squad ahead of next season.

Roberto De Zerbi knows Tottenham must kick on next season

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A pivotal couple of months await Spurs, so here Standard Sport sets out the club’s plans for the rest of the window…

Priority position

Injuries ravaged Spurs last season, particularly in attack, where they spent large periods of the campaign without Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus.

Dejan Kulusevski has yet to return from a serious knee injury, sustained in May 2025, while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are both out with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

While De Zerbi did well to shore up Spurs’ defence in the final weeks of the season, his side struggled for goals, managing eight goals in seven games.

Attacking reinforcements are a must for Spurs, who have been heavily linked with Manchester City winger and longstanding target Savinho.

That said, De Zerbi must be careful to strike the right balance between those returning from injury and those he wants to bring in, so as not to leave himself with a bloated squad.

Potential incomings

Spurs hold concrete interest in Van Hecke, but do not appear to be open to swapping the Dutch centre-half for their highly rated young defender Luka Vuskovic.

Vuskovic enjoyed a superb season on loan at Hamburg last season and has attracted plenty of interest from clubs across Europe.

Spurs are determined to keep hold of the Croatian teenager, who has been linked with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and rejected an advance from Brighton to use him as part of a deal for Van Hecke.

Negotiations for Savinho, who wants increased first-team minutes next season, appear more straightforward with City open to letting the Brazilian leave for the right price.

Savinho is valued at around £60million, though it is unclear whether incoming Man City manager Enzo Maresca sees the 22-year-old as part of his plans next season.

Tottenham have seen two bids for Jan Paul van Hecke rejected by Brighton

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Savinho’s City team-mate James Trafford is also a target for Spurs, who will be in the market for another goalkeeper should Vicario leave the club.

Trafford only rejoined City last summer, but saw his opportunities limited following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The England shot-stopper is unwilling to act as an understudy next season, and both Newcastle and Spurs hold longstanding interest in the 23-year-old.

Potential outgoings

When Spurs secured Premier League survival on the final day, De Zerbi claimed he felt there were only 11 to 12 players currently at the club that he wanted to keep within his squad next season.

Yves Bissouma has already departed on a free transfer, with Spurs opting not to take the one-year option to extend his contract, but the Mali midfielder is not expected to be the last player to leave north London this summer.

Captain Cristian Romero’s future, seemingly on hold until after the World Cup, remains in doubt while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been heavily linked with a return to his native Italy.

Cristian Romero has been linked with a move to Spain

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There are also question marks over whether Joao Palhinha, scorer of the goal that secured safety for Spurs last month, will join the club permanently after his season-long loan from Bayern Munich.

De Zerbi says he wants to keep Palhinha, but with interest from Portuguese giants Sporting, the 30-year-old has multiple options.

Spurs seem unlikely to try to negotiate another deal for Randal Kolo Muani after his ineffectual loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman’s departure will also allow De Zerbi to add another attacker to his squad.