Roberto De Zerbi has issued a blunt ultimatum to his Tottenham squad: anyone not “proud and happy to stay” at the club this summer should move elsewhere. The warning, delivered ahead of Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand, comes amid intense uncertainty over midfielder Lucas Bergvall’s future.
Tottenham have already rejected a £38m bid from Nottingham Forest for the 20-year-old Sweden international, with Forest expected to return with an improved offer of £45m. De Zerbi admitted he has not yet spoken to Bergvall about his plans. “I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me,” he said. “If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution.”
“De Zerbi warns unhappy Tottenham players must leave as Bergvall faces uncertain future amid Forest bids.”
The Italian, who signed a five-year contract in March and steered Spurs clear of Premier League relegation last season, has overseen a dramatic squad overhaul. The club has already spent more than £200m this summer, including a new £185m midfield pairing of Sandro Tonali, bought for £100m from Newcastle United, and Mateus Fernandes, who arrived for £85m from West Ham. Defenders Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have also joined.
But De Zerbi insists the work is not finished. “The target now is to complete the attacking positions,” he said. “We have to bring another couple of players.” Among the reported targets is Manchester City winger Savinho, though no formal offer has been submitted. Up front, Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel are the current options, while Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi – who scored 13 league goals last season – has been linked, but the Cherries do not want to sell the 20-year-old.
Injuries have depleted De Zerbi’s attacking ranks for the tour of Australasia. Winger Mohammed Kudus is recovering from a thigh problem and “very close” to returning, according to De Zerbi, while Dejan Kulusevski is sidelined with a knee injury and did not travel. Bergvall is part of the squad in New Zealand, where Spurs face Auckland FC before a friendly against Sydney FC on 29 July.
De Zerbi made clear he will not tolerate a half‑hearted squad. “I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham: who doesn’t want to stay, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave,” he said. “The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.” With the transfer window still open, that message may resonate beyond Bergvall as Spurs push to reshape their forward line before the new season.