Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly already pinpointed the first player he hopes to bring to Tottenham Hotspur following his appointment as the club’s new manager, replacing Igor Tudor.
Tudor’s time in charge came to an abrupt end after just seven matches, with the Croatian failing to secure a single victory in his five Premier League outings. His only positive result was a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, leaving Spurs struggling near the bottom of the table.
Following his departure, several familiar names were linked with the managerial vacancy, including Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton, Glenn Hoddle, and even current defender Ben Davies.
However, Tottenham confirmed on Tuesday that former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi would take over the role, signing a five-year deal reportedly worth between £12 million and £15 million per year. That salary places the Italian among the highest-paid managers in the Premier League.
With Tottenham locked in a tense battle to avoid relegation, De Zerbi faces immediate pressure to deliver results. Encouragingly for supporters, reports suggest he has already identified a key transfer target he believes can help turn the club’s fortunes around.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, De Zerbi is keen on signing Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, a player he previously coached during their time together at Sassuolo between 2019 and 2021.
Locatelli has been a standout performer for Juventus this season, captaining the side, making 39 appearances across competitions, and contributing five goals while providing leadership and control in midfield.
The report claims that before officially accepting the Tottenham job, De Zerbi held detailed discussions with the club’s hierarchy about future transfer plans. During those talks, he reportedly highlighted Locatelli as his priority signing for the summer—provided Spurs successfully avoid relegation.
Locatelli is currently under contract with Juventus until 2028, and it remains uncertain whether the Italian club intends to offer him an extension. If Juventus decide to sell, several clubs could enter the race.
Tottenham are believed to be among the interested Premier League sides, but they may face strong competition from Manchester United should the midfielder become available in the upcoming transfer window.
