Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is in talks to join Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer, according to reports.
Sarr was injured during the international break, joining a growing list on the treatment table in North London.
The Senegal star was withdrawn from their friendly against Gambia with a shoulder injury sustained in training, and is facing a couple of the weeks on the sidelines.
Fenerbahce open talks to sign Sarr this summer
According to reports in Turkey, via Sport Witness, the 23 year-old could now be a shock candidate to leave the club this summer.
They say Fenerbahce have entered 'negotiations' to sign the former Metz starlet, although it is not clear whether that is with Tottenham or his agents.
Their report reveals his representation has recently changed, with a rumoured move to Unique Sports Group, who handle a number of high value clients such as Marc Guehi and Anthony Gordon, opening the door to a summer exit.
Galatasaray are also interested, although to this point it appears only their title rivals have actually opened talks over a move.
It would certainly be a shock to see Spurs sell the youngster if they remain in the Premier League, as he is yet to enter his prime years and is under contract until the summer of 2030.
Five players who could thrive under De Zerbi at Spurs
Antonin Kinsky
After a nightmare night against Atletico Madrid on March 10, Antonin Kinsky may have expected to stay on the sidelines until next season, but after Guglielmo Vicario required minor hernia surgery, Kinsky is in line to at least start De Zerbi’s maiden match in charge.
Czech stopper Kinsky is the type of goalkeeper that De Zerbi usually favours given his ability on both feet, but the 23-year-old produced two costly errors with miscued passes in the Champions League last month. If Kinsky can face and conquer his demons at the Stadium of Light, he could keep his position for the next couple of months.
Cristian Romero
Spurs captain Cristian Romero has cut a frustrated figure for most of this campaign, serving three separate suspensions and firing almost as many cryptic posts on his Instagram page, but De Zerbi could get the Argentina defender back to his best.
Romero’s most consistent run at Tottenham occurred under attack-minded Ange Postecoglou when the club had a focus and goal to target.
Given De Zerbi’s preference for front-footed football, it should hit the right notes with the divisive centre-back. While Romero splits opinion, his ball-playing skills have always been of the highest level and he could be the perfect option to deliver De Zerbi’s famed baiting of the press.
Archie Gray
One of the shining lights of Spurs’ sorry campaign has been Archie Gray, but how will the youngster fit in under De Zerbi?
De Zerbi should love Gray’s ultra-high energy levels and personality given he has been among a handful to step up and show responsibility during a disastrous spell. Another stand-out quality of the ex-Leeds academy graduate is his maturity and strong out-of-possession work.
Recent weeks have shown a different side to Gray with more of his passing range on show. Given De Zerbi helped develop Moises Caicedo at Brighton, he will hope to have another potential world-class midfielder in his ranks.
Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons may end up the biggest winner given the £52million playmaker never seemed to fit under Thomas Frank, who preferred to bypass the midfield and central areas.
It often meant the Dutch international was isolated unless he took the initiative, which occurred in matches with Atletico Madrid and Manchester City but was a tough ask for a player new to the Premier League.
Simons has thrived when he has had team-mates to combine with and space. With De Zerbi keen to keep the ball and pull opposition from side to side to create openings, Simons should flourish with either the freedom to drop deep or by being in the final third with actual options to pick out.
Mathys Tel
Mathys Tel could have left Tottenham on loan in January, but instead stuck around despite limited chances under Frank and is now one of the club’s key figures in the fight to stay up.
Even though Tel views himself as a centre forward, he has finally got a regular run in the team as a left winger and could be De Zerbi’s Kaoru Mitoma at Spurs.
Mitoma blossomed into one of the best attackers in the Premier League under De Zerbi and given Tel is also right-footed but plays on the left and loves to cut inside to shoot or dribble past opponents, he may relish life under the new boss.