Tottenham transfer news: Roberto De Zerbi eyes first Spurs signing with £22m star on his 'wish list'

Tottenham Hotspur’s focus may be on survival in the short term, but plans for the future are already beginning to take shape under new leadership in the dugout.

The north Londoners have moved quickly following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, with attention turning towards potential additions who can fit his long-term vision.

Even with the immediate pressure of results, recruitment discussions are underway, and one name has already emerged as a priority target for the Italian tactician.

Manuel Locatelli is on Roberto De Zerbi transfer shortlist at Spurs

Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has been identified as a key name on De Zerbi’s early transfer 'wish list', with fresh reports from Italy suggesting the 27-year-old has already been highlighted during initial talks with the club’s hierarchy.

The Old Lady star is viewed as an ideal fit for De Zerbi’s system, given his composure in possession, tactical intelligence, and ability to control the tempo in midfield.

At 27, Locatelli also brings valuable experience at both club and international level, making him an attractive option as Spurs look to rebuild with a stronger spine.

With Juventus potentially open to offers as they assess their squad and financial position, past reports suggest a deal in the region of £22 million could be enough to bring him to north London.

Premier League status will depend on Manuel Locatelli move

However, any move for Locatelli is likely to hinge heavily on Tottenham’s survival in the Premier League.

The Italy international is a regular for his country and would be expected to prioritise top-level football at this stage of his career. Juventus themselves are by no means certain to secure Champions League football, and that's something that Spurs won't be able to offer in any potential race for his signature.

If Spurs were to suffer relegation, convincing a player of his calibre to join would become significantly more difficult, regardless of De Zerbi’s influence.

Even in the event of survival, competition for his signature could emerge, particularly from clubs able to offer European football and greater stability.

For Tottenham, this underlines the urgency of their current situation.

Securing their top-flight status is not just about avoiding embarrassment, as it could directly impact their ability to attract the calibre of players De Zerbi wants to build his project around.