Roberto De Zerbi has issued a blunt ultimatum to his Tottenham squad: any player not “proud and happy” to be at the club must leave this summer. The manager’s warning came as Nottingham Forest prepare to increase their offer for midfielder Lucas Bergvall to £45m, after Spurs rejected an initial £38m bid.
“I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn't want to stay? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave,” De Zerbi told reporters before Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand. “I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference.”
“De Zerbi says unhappy Tottenham players must leave as Nottingham Forest prepare £45m Bergvall bid.”
Bergvall, 20, joined Spurs from Swedish club Djurgarden in 2024 and played limited minutes under De Zerbi after the Italian took over in March, signing a five-year contract and helping steer the club away from Premier League relegation. The Sweden international started De Zerbi’s first game in charge – a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland – and made four further appearances as a substitute.
De Zerbi has since added significant midfield reinforcements, including Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle United and Mateus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham, as well as defenders Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. “There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position,” he said.
The manager admitted he has not yet spoken with Bergvall about his future. “I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai Venkatesham. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
De Zerbi confirmed the transfer window is not closed: “We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of players – maybe more, maybe not less – but a couple of players. The target is to complete the attacking positions.”
Bergvall is part of Tottenham’s squad in New Zealand, but wingers Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski did not travel due to long-term injuries to thigh and knee respectively. “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us,” said De Zerbi.
With Forest poised to up their offer to £45m, the ball is now in Bergvall’s court. Whether the Swede decides to fight for his place or seek a move elsewhere will shape Tottenham’s final weeks of the transfer window.