Roberto De Zerbi may have already zeroed in on his first signing since replacing Igor Tudor as Tottenham Hotspur manager.
Tudor’s brief seven-game tenure ended without a single Premier League win, with only a 1-1 draw against Liverpool earning him a point. After his departure, Tottenham reportedly considered several candidates for the managerial role, including Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton, Glenn Hoddle, and even current player Ben Davies, before ultimately appointing former Brighton boss De Zerbi on a five-year deal reportedly worth £12–15 million per year, making him the third-highest paid manager in the Premier League.
With Spurs fighting to avoid relegation, De Zerbi’s early transfer decisions are crucial. Italian outlet Calciomercato IT reports that he has already identified Manuel Locatelli as a key target to strengthen the squad. The Italian midfielder, who previously worked with De Zerbi at Sassuolo between 2019 and 2021, has captained Juventus this season, making 39 appearances, scoring five goals, and controlling play from midfield.
Before officially joining Tottenham, De Zerbi reportedly met with club owners to discuss his vision and transfer plans, naming Locatelli as his top target for the summer, contingent on Spurs remaining in the Premier League.
Currently contracted to Juventus until 2028, Locatelli’s future remains uncertain. Should the club allow him to leave, several teams—including Tottenham and Manchester United—are expected to pursue the 28-year-old midfielder.
