Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly wasted no time identifying his first major transfer target after stepping in as Tottenham Hotspur manager, following the departure of Igor Tudor.
Tudor’s short tenure came to an end after just seven matches in charge. He failed to secure a victory in five Premier League outings, collecting only a single point from a 1-1 draw against Liverpool before the club decided to part ways with him.
In the aftermath of his exit, several names were linked with the managerial role, including Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton, Glenn Hoddle, and even current defender Ben Davies. However, Tottenham have now confirmed De Zerbi as their new head coach on a five-year contract reportedly valued between £12 million and £15 million per season, placing him among the Premier League’s highest-paid managers.
With Spurs currently fighting to remain in the top flight, expectations are high for the Italian to deliver immediate results—and reports indicate he has already pinpointed a key addition to strengthen the squad.
According to reports from Italy, De Zerbi is keen on signing Manuel Locatelli, a midfielder he previously worked with at Sassuolo. The manager believes the Italian international could provide the leadership and control Tottenham urgently need in the middle of the park.
Locatelli has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Juventus, captaining the team, making 39 appearances across all competitions, and scoring five goals while playing a crucial role in orchestrating their midfield.
It is also understood that even before officially accepting the Tottenham job, De Zerbi discussed transfer strategies with club officials and made it clear that Locatelli would be a priority target—provided the team successfully avoids relegation.
The midfielder remains under contract with Juventus until 2028, and although his future at the club is not fully settled, any move away would likely spark significant interest, with Manchester United and several other Premier League sides reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation.
