Tottenham will look to offset some of their £300m-plus summer spend with more outgoings planned before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Spurs have ripped up tradition by bringing in eight major signings with three deals – Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Savio – that shattered their previous record.
However, they have also operated shrewdly the other way, bringing in around £140m through the sales of Luka Vuskovic, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence. A further £35m has been raised by selling off fringe players including Will Lankshear, Alejo Veliz, Ashley Phillips, Manor Solomon and Alfie Devine.
Pape Matar Sarr is also expected to depart, with Nottingham Forest having overtaken interest from the Turkish Super Lig. The Senegal midfielder is valued at around £20m, but that fee could be pushed down the road with Forest considering an initial loan with an option to buy.
“Pape is good,” De Zerbi said of him on Friday. “We have to see in the last days of the transfer market what can happen with him.”
Roberto De Zerbi has been vocal in his wish to keep Lucas Bergvall, who was also monitored by Forest and Newcastle.
The arrival of Omar Marmoush has also potentially opened the door for Richarlison’s exit. Despite rumours linking him with a return to Everton, Saudi Arabia currently looks like a more viable option. The striker is also valued at around £20m.
De Zerbi is also allowing Jamie Donley to leave on loan, with the forward set to join Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town.
There is more uncertainty surrounding Mikey Moore, who had agreed a move to FC Koln but who has featured in both Spurs’ competitive matches this season, scoring the opening goal in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton.
Moore spent last season at Rangers and was always expected to be sent on loan again to gain experience, with the Savio and Omar Marmoush deals making that more likely.
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Having begun the summer with a threadbare attack, De Zerbi now has Marmoush, Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel and Savio to accommodate. Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert and long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski are currently sidelined and James Maddison is also set for a spell out after fracturing his shoulder in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford.
De Zerbi has already delivered on his promise of a major “bomba” this summer and faces a crucial test against Newcastle in the Premier League this weekend after a horror start in west London.
Spurs have been set back by injuries and players’ delayed returns from the World Cup, with Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven and Kudus all missing the opening day and Fernandes only fit enough to feature in the second half.
