De Zerbi Demands Squad Overhaul After Relegation Scare
Mirror Football (Tier 3) reports that Tottenham Hotspur have secured the green light from three major transfer targets in a massive squad rebuild. The north London club is prepared to spend in excess of £240m on this trio of players. This transaction will push the total summer expenditure close to the £300m mark.
Spurs are desperate. They barely escaped relegation to the Championship last season, finishing in 17th place for the second year in a row. Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who took over from Igor Tudor in late March 2026, wants a complete squad overhaul.
The seasoned trio of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka have joined on free transfers. Additionally, Spurs spent £52m to bring in defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. That defensive reinforcement was only the beginning of a massive restructuring program.
To implement his signature style, De Zerbi needs a completely different midfield and dynamic options on the flanks. The board has decided to back him, opening the vault for three high-profile deals. If they pull this off, it will be the most expensive recovery mission in Premier League history.
Spurs fans are understandably anxious. Two seasons of fighting relegation have eroded confidence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The club needs a statement of intent, and this massive spending plan is designed to deliver exactly that.
Rebuilding the Spine: The Target Profiles
The Midfield Engine: Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali
The centerpiece of the rebuild is Mateus Fernandes. Tottenham have agreed to an £85m deal for the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, beating Manchester United to his signature.
Fernandes suffered relegation with West Ham last season, but his individual performance was a rare bright spot. His ability to carry the ball through central areas and resist intense opposition pressing made him a top target. Manchester United wanted him to replace their aging midfield, but Spurs moved faster.
According to the Mirror Football report, the player is very keen on the move to north London and has already given the green light. He wants guaranteed starting minutes under De Zerbi rather than rotating at Old Trafford. Wages and contract lengths remain undisclosed as talks focus on the club-to-club fees, but expectation is high that agreement is close.
Tactically, Fernandes will operate as the progressive link in De Zerbi's standard double pivot. He offers vertical passing and quick transitions that Tudor's static midfield lacked. However, paying £85m for a player from a relegated side is a massive risk that could easily backfire.
Alongside Fernandes, De Zerbi wants to partner him with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italian international is eager to make the switch to London and has already settled personal terms with Tottenham.
According to the Mirror's update on negotiations, Spurs had an initial £80m bid rejected earlier this summer. However, talks are moving positively toward a final fee of around £100m. Newcastle need to raise funds to comply with financial rules, making them receptive to selling the midfielder.
Arsenal were briefly linked with a move for Tonali. However, the Gunners have shifted their attention to his Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes. This has left Spurs with a clear run at the former AC Milan star.
Tonali offers elite defensive positioning and tactical intelligence to shield a defense that conceded sixty-five goals last term. He will anchor the midfield, allowing Fernandes to push forward into the final third. The £100m price tag is astronomical, but De Zerbi views him as a non-negotiable target.
The combination of Tonali and Fernandes could solve Spurs' long-standing issues in central midfield. Under Tudor, the team often looked overrun and unable to control the tempo of matches. This new-look pairing should provide both defensive steel and creative spark.
The Winger Gamble: Savinho
To bolster his attack, De Zerbi has targeted Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City. The winger is open to a move after struggling for regular minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Savinho managed just 1 league goal last season under Pep Guardiola. That is a poor return for a winger valued at £60m, which is the current price tag being discussed. Spurs are currently in advanced discussions with City to finalise the transfer.
Savinho is a dynamic dribbler who fits De Zerbi's demand for high-tempo wingers who can isolate defenders in wide areas. At his best, he can tear apart low blocks with his acceleration and trickery. But his lack of end product last season remains a concern for a team that struggled to score.
If the deal goes through, Savinho will compete with Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson for a starting spot. The move is risky, but it shows the scale of Tottenham's ambition this summer.
Manchester City are willing to sell because they need to trim their squad. Savinho wants to play regular football ahead of the next international break. A move to London gives him the platform to showcase his skills under a manager who loves attacking wingers.
The tactical fit here is obvious, but the fee is hard to justify. Paying £60m for a winger who struggled to make an impact at City is a massive gamble. Spurs need immediate goals, not another developmental project.
Deal Realism: Probability and Timelines
The deal for Mateus Fernandes is the most advanced of the three. With the £85m fee agreed and Manchester United beaten, only the final medical tests and paperwork remain. We rate this at a 90% probability, with an announcement expected in the next forty-eight hours.
The Sandro Tonali transfer is also highly likely. Personal terms are agreed, and the clubs are close to finding a compromise on the £100m fee. We rate this at a 75% probability, with a resolution expected by mid-July.
Savinho is the most speculative of the three. Manchester City are tough negotiators, and other suitors could still enter the race. The deal stands at a 60% probability, with discussions likely to drag into late July.
Supporters should expect a busy few weeks. Tottenham are determined to get these deals over the line before the squad travels for their pre-season tour. De Zerbi wants his new signings integrated as quickly as possible.
The Expected Impact
If De Zerbi lands all three targets, Tottenham will have a completely different starting eleven. The midfield partnership of Tonali and Fernandes would instantly rank among the most talented in the Premier League. They would provide the security and creativity that has been missing since Harry Kane's departure.
But the pressure on De Zerbi will be immense. Spending £300m means that safety is no longer the target. Tottenham must challenge for European places immediately, or De Zerbi will face the sack before the year ends.
The board has backed the manager. Now, De Zerbi must deliver results on the pitch.
