Tottenham's Transfer Plans: Gakpo on the Radar

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

With the deadline looming on Tuesday at 11pm, Spurs are pushing to add what their head coach calls “one more player” – and their sights are firmly trained on Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.

Spurs are understood to be serious about the Dutchman and are expected to ramp up their efforts in the final days of the window. De Zerbi, speaking on Friday, admitted the scale of the club’s summer dealings has already surprised him.

“I didn't expect a transfer window like we have done,” he said. “I think we can do one player more in one specific position.”

That “specific position” is widely believed to be in the attacking line, where Gakpo’s versatility and goal threat have put him near the top of Tottenham’s wishlist.

The Italian revealed those plans were thrashed out over dinner on Thursday night with the club’s hierarchy – owners, sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham all present.

“Yesterday we went to dinner with the owners, Johan and Vinai and we spoke about this,” De Zerbi explained. “All of us are on the same page and a very good connection.”

The message is that Spurs will be busy until the shutters come down on the window. Incoming deals are on the table, but so are exits.

De Zerbi has already overseen a clear-out of players who wanted to move on and said he has been brutally honest with his squad about their situations.

“I've been very clear with all the players: if you speak clearly you can't expect surprises,” he said. “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.

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

One of those still in limbo is Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder has drawn interest during the window and has not featured in either of Spurs’ first two league games this season, fuelling speculation over his future.

De Zerbi stressed Sarr’s absence is not down to fitness.

“Pape is good,” he said. “We have to see in the last days of the transfer market what can happen with him.”

Tottenham’s squad, then, is still shifting. One big attacking arrival, one or two departures, and De Zerbi’s “emotional project” will look very different by the time the window slams shut.