Tottenham’s summer spending spree defended by De Zerbi amid transfer activity
De Zerbi on Tottenham’s transfer strategy
Roberto De Zerbi has addressed Tottenham’s substantial transfer market activity this summer, stating that every club “wanted to kill us” last season. He has used this sentiment to motivate his players throughout the summer. The club’s spending is anticipated to exceed £300m, with several high-profile acquisitions already made.
Among the new arrivals are Sandro Tonali for £92.5m, Mateus Fernandes for £85m, and Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m. Additionally, Savinho and Omar Marmoush are expected to join from Manchester City for £85m and £75m respectively. De Zerbi indicated that the scale of this summer’s rebuild was not unexpected, as he had discussed transfer targets with the club in March, prior to his official appointment.
De Zerbi highlighted the importance of this period for the team, which had faced potential relegation in previous seasons. He noted that the club needed to “completely change” the mood and “give a boost” after two challenging seasons. He also defended the club’s spending, stating that high-level competition often requires significant investment. He believes that once the transfer market concludes, the team will be in a strong position to compete at the top of the table.
Key player movements and squad changes
The influx of new players marks Tottenham’s busiest transfer window since 2013. That year, the club reinvested £85.3m from the sale of Gareth Bale, bringing in players such as Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen. However, this summer’s expenditure significantly surpasses that previous period.
In addition to the major signings, Tottenham have also secured defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, along with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, all on free transfers. The club has also seen some departures, with Cristian Romero moving to Atlético Madrid for £34.1m. Guglielmo Vicario has joined Juventus on loan with an €8m option to buy, and Radu Dragusin has signed for Fiorentina on loan with a conditional obligation.
Micky van de Ven has been named club captain following Romero’s departure. De Zerbi has established a captaincy group that includes vice-captain Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison, and Archie Gray. Both Van de Ven and Porro are currently injured and will miss the upcoming match against Brentford.
Potential impact of new attacking options
The potential arrivals of Savinho and Omar Marmoush are expected to bolster Tottenham’s attacking options. Tottenham are currently in discussions with Manchester City for Marmoush, with talks progressing. Savinho, a winger, was not part of Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City squad for the Community Shield final. Marmoush made a second-half appearance in that match.
Marmoush, an Egypt international, joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025. He scored 16 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions for City. His league involvement decreased in the 2025-26 season, starting only eight league games. Before joining City, Marmoush scored 17 times across all competitions in his first season with Eintracht Frankfurt. He also demonstrated a proficiency in set-pieces, scoring directly from a free-kick in three consecutive competitive matches.
Savinho, a winger, has been a target for Tottenham since last summer. He signed a new deal with Manchester City until 2031 in October after the previous transfer window closed. Last season, he started seven Premier League games for Pep Guardiola’s City side. He had previously spent time on loan at La Liga team Girona, where he recorded 11 goals and 10 assists, contributing to the club’s top-four finish.
The addition of Marmoush is seen as crucial, particularly with Richarlison entering the final year of his contract and Dominic Solanke experiencing injury problems over the last 18 months. Marmoush’s versatility, having played through the middle, as a second striker, and from the left at Frankfurt and City, could be beneficial for De Zerbi’s tactical approach. His ability to run in behind defenses and link play could be a significant asset for Spurs.
The club’s spending has been facilitated by a shift in strategy from ENIC, the majority owners, who are now injecting funds. This approach, combined with the club’s historically lower wages-to-revenue figures, allows for significant investment while adhering to financial regulations. The sale of players like Brennan Johnson for £35m and Luka Vuskovic for a guaranteed £46m also contributes to the club’s financial flexibility.
The Premier League season is set to begin later this week, with Tottenham facing Brentford on Saturday evening.
Source: theguardian.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
