Tottenham Hotspur look poised to make a late move for one of Roberto De Zerbi's former goalkeepers following Antonin Kinsky's disappointing display in a 3-0 loss to Brentford.
Kinsky had been viewed as De Zerbi's new number one heading into the new season after bouncing back from a horror showing against Atletico Madrid in March. The Czech shot-stopper put in several impressive performances in the latter stages of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
There are now question marks over Kinsky continuing between the sticks after a nervy outing at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend. Spurs sent Guglielmo Vicario out on loan to Juventus, and De Zerbi doesn't appear to view new signing Martin Dubravka as a viable option as a first-choice goalkeeper.
Tottenham Could Swoop For Trubin
Tottenham are leaving it late but could reportedly turn to Benfica's Anatoliy Trubin in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window. Club insider Paul O'Keefe reports that the Lilywhites have had a 'glancing eye' at the Ukrainian who knows De Zerbi well.
De Zerbi coached Trubin in the early stages of his career at Shakhtar Donetsk, and a reunion might be on the cards. O'Keefe feels it's 'one to watch' while downplaying suggestions they could move for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, who is instead headed to Chelsea.
Trubin has impressed since joining Benfica from Shakhtar back in the summer of 2023 and famously scored a late winner in a 4-2 win over Real Madrid last season. At 25, he is entering his prime, and his connection with De Zerbi could be hugely beneficial for the North London outfit if they were to sign him.
The Ukrainian explained the Spurs manager's influence on him when speaking to Sky Sports earlier this year:
"He opened my eyes to another way of playing football for me, even as a goalkeeper."
Trubin made 18 appearances under De Zerbi, keeping six clean sheets, and the pair won the Ukrainian league twice. One of his strengths is his composure on the ball, and, at six-foot-six-inches, his towering presence would make him one of the top five tallest goalkeepers in the Premier League.
De Zerbi Needs A New Number One
As admirable as it is to see Kinsky put that dreadful Atletico Madrid night behind him, he still has yet to prove he's a worthy number one for the North Londoners. He has made some outstanding saves, none more so than against Leeds United back in May, which helped De Zerbi's men avoid the drop.
Kinsky is still young and needs to develop further, and in goalkeeping years, doesn't have anywhere near enough experience to be a number one for a club chasing European qualification. He is a strong option to have available as an understudy to a shot-stopper with more years playing at the elite level.
Trubin could be the answer for De Zerbi, and he certainly fits the bill with his size and confidence. During his time at Shakhtar under the current Spurs boss, he won the Ukrainian league's Goalkeeper of the Year award twice.