Djed Spence: Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi tells England defender to stay at club

Football reporter in SydneyPublished3 hours agoTottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he wants to convince England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club amid uncertainty over his future.

The 25-year-old, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Everton.

De Zerbi says he sees Spence as an important part of his plans despite increased competition in his role after a summer of significant spending.

Spurs have spent a club record £237m so far this summer as they rebuild their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season's Premier League.

"I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall]," De Zerbi said, referencing comments he made about the in-demand Sweden midfielder a day earlier.

"I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave."

Spence started in 23 of his 30 Premier League appearances last year as Spurs finished 17th for the second season in a row.

Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Tottenham.

De Zerbi said he regarded Porro as the "best in the world" in his role.

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Captain Cristian Romero is among those likely to leave the club.

Romero was criticised for his decision to fly back to Argentina while injured before the final game of the season - a match for which he did ultimately return.

De Zerbi said it was wrong to criticise Romero for his initial decision, saying he had shown "unbelievable behaviour" during the Italian's time at the club, but accepted it was "his will" to leave.

"At the beginning of my time in April I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings. And the players told me if they are (staying) here (or not)," he said.

"I said: 'Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me.'"

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also expected to depart after losing his place to Antonin Kinsky.

Earlier this month, Spurs broke their transfer record twice in two days, first signing midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m before bringing in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.

Jan Paul van Hecke has also joined from Brighton in a £52m deal, alongside the free transfers of experienced trio Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka.

De Zerbi says his side are targeting another attacking signing alongside their pursuit of Manchester City's Savinho.

The Brazilian is among the attacking players in advanced talks over a move to north London, with Spurs also pursuing another unnamed target.

Speaking in Sydney, De Zerbi said: "The transfer market is not finished for sure, but we have completed 60% of our project. Now we have another 'bomba'."

Asked whether he was referring to a winger or a striker, the former Brighton and Marseille manager replied: "Attackers.

"I don't love working with plan A, plan B, plan C. It is plan A, full stop, because all players are not the same.

"We have to increase the number of goals."

De Zerbi said he had been like a "shark" this summer while pursuing targets.

De Zerbi omitted the name of the player by design - but it will leave Spurs fans guessing as to who it could be.

Arguably the biggest available name is Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who is valued at more than £140m and is exploring his options away from the European champions. Liverpool are believed to be preparing an opening bid for the France international, who has also been on Arsenal's radar.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has a £40m release clause in his contract, although his £325,000-a-week deal, which runs until 2028, could prove a stumbling block.

There is also a sense that, following his loan spell at Barcelona, the England international would prefer another move abroad after the Spanish champions opted against triggering a £26m option to buy.

Other potential targets could include Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, Chelsea's Pedro Neto or AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

However, any suggestion remains speculative until Spurs reveal their hand or one of the clubs involved confirms an approach from chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.