Tottenham's Transfer Window: De Zerbi Targets One More Signing

Roberto De Zerbi has made his stance clear. Tottenham’s summer isn’t finished yet.

With the transfer window ticking towards Tuesday’s 11pm deadline, the Spurs head coach wants one more signing – and all roads currently point towards Cody Gakpo. The club are understood to be pushing to prise the Dutch forward from Liverpool, with efforts expected to ramp up in the final days of the window.

“I didn't expect a transfer window like we have done,” De Zerbi admitted on Friday, a nod to the scale of the overhaul already undertaken. Then came the key line. “I think we can do one player more in one specific position.”

That “one specific position” is no secret. Spurs want more firepower and flexibility in the final third, and Gakpo fits the profile: a forward who can play across the line, add goals, and deepen the attacking rotation for a season that will stretch this squad.

De Zerbi, though, stressed this is not a manager waging a one-man campaign. On Thursday night he sat down for dinner with the club’s hierarchy – owners, sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham – and came away sounding aligned rather than agitated.

“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.”

That unity will be tested over the next few days. Tottenham expect to be busy right up until the cut-off, not only with potential arrivals but also with exits for those looking for a fresh start.

De Zerbi has already laid down the law in the dressing room.

“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.”

It is a blunt message wrapped in a challenge. Staying at Spurs, in his eyes, is not a consolation prize.

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

One of the names hovering over these final days is Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder has drawn interest during the window and has yet to feature in either of Tottenham’s first two league games, fuelling speculation over his short-term future.

De Zerbi, though, insisted the issue is not physical.

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

So the picture is clear. One more signing targeted. Several possible departures on hold. A manager who wants commitment from those who stay and clarity from those who do not.

The clock is running. Tottenham know exactly what they want from these final hours. The question now is whether the market – and Liverpool – will let them have it.