Tottenham's Transfer Plans: De Zerbi Seeks Final Signing

Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear: Tottenham’s transfer business is not finished yet.

With the deadline looming on Tuesday at 11pm, the Spurs head coach wants one more signing, and the club’s interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is sharpening the focus of their final days in the market.

“I didn't expect a transfer window like we have done,” De Zerbi admitted on Friday, reflecting on a hectic summer. “I think we can do one player more in one specific position.”

That “one specific position” is understood to be in attack, with Gakpo high on the list. Spurs are ready to push harder for the Dutch international as the window ticks into its final stretch.

The strategy was thrashed out over dinner on Thursday night, when De Zerbi sat down with the club’s hierarchy — owners, sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.

“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.”

The message from De Zerbi to his squad has been just as direct. No surprises. No mixed signals.

“I've been very clear with all the players: if you speak clearly you can't expect surprises,” he explained. “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 leaves Spurs braced for movement both ways before the window shuts. Players still eyeing the exit will be allowed to go if the right bids arrive, while the club work on that final addition De Zerbi wants.

“You have to feel proud to stay here,” he added. “It's an emotional project we are building with new players.”

One of the names in the frame to depart is Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder has drawn interest during the window and has not featured in either of Tottenham’s first two league games of the season.

De Zerbi stressed that the Senegal international is not being held back by 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.”

Spurs now enter the final stretch of the window trying to land a marquee attacking option while keeping the dressing room aligned with De Zerbi’s “emotional project”. The next few days will show how firmly that vision is backed in the market.