Unhappy Tottenham players should leave - De Zerbi

What the report says

Nile Post, carrying a BBC Sport report, says Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi has warned that any player who is not committed to the club should seek a move. De Zerbi, described in the report as having joined Spurs at the end of March on a five-year deal, made the remarks before Tottenham’s pre-season match against Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday.

The comments come amid uncertainty over midfielder Lucas Bergvall. The report says Tottenham have turned down an initial £38m offer from Nottingham Forest for the Sweden international, with Forest expected to return with a £45m bid. De Zerbi said he wants players who feel motivated and proud to represent Spurs, and indicated he would speak with Bergvall in the coming days before any decision is made involving the club hierarchy.

Bergvall joined Tottenham from Djurgarden in 2024 and had limited involvement after De Zerbi’s arrival, starting the manager’s first match and then appearing four times as a substitute. Competition in midfield has increased after the reported arrivals of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for £100m and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m. De Zerbi also said Tottenham’s transfer work is not complete, with attacking additions still a priority after defensive signings including Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.

The report adds that Bergvall is with the squad in New Zealand, while Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski remain absent through injury. Tottenham’s Xavi Simons also discussed his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in April, describing a difficult period after surgery.