Tottenham are braced for a late-window reshuffle, with the spine of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad shifting just days before the deadline.
Standard Sport understands Spurs have agreed a deal with Juventus for Pape Matar Sarr to leave on loan, with the Italian giants holding a £25.7million option to buy at the end of the season. For a player once viewed as a long-term midfield pillar, it is a significant move – and a clear sign of how quickly De Zerbi is prepared to reshape this group.
The exits do not stop there.
Highly rated teenager Mikey Moore has been given the green light to head to the Bundesliga, where his loan move to Koln is being finalised. Left-back Souza is also on his way, set to join Porto on loan until the end of the campaign. Youth and depth are being pushed out to find minutes elsewhere, while Spurs try to sharpen the top end of their squad.
They are not just trimming. They are hunting.
Tottenham remain in talks with Everton over a deal for Iliman Ndiaye as they push to add another attacker before the window closes. De Zerbi wants more cutting edge in the final third, and Ndiaye has been identified as a live option as negotiations continue.
All this plays out against a familiar subplot: Richarlison and Everton, together again?
In a separate move, Everton are working on a deal to bring the Brazilian back to Goodison Park. The forward has made it clear he wants out of north London, and the Merseyside club are trying to capitalise, hoping a reunion can revive both player and team.
De Zerbi did not hide from the situation when he spoke over the weekend. He confirmed that Richarlison has asked to leave, grouping him with Sarr and Kevin Danso, who has attracted loan interest from Sunderland.
“He said too many times [that] he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago, and he said he wants to leave, and Pape Sarr, the same, but he suffer[ed] a small injury, but he is almost ready to train,” the Spurs head coach said, laying bare the mood inside the dressing room.
The message from the Italian was firm, but not bitter. Affection, yes. Indulgence, no.
“I love these players, they are great guys, I have very good relationships, but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go, and we find other players.”
It is a ruthless clarity that leaves no doubt. If a player wants out and a club meets Tottenham’s terms, the door is open. De Zerbi will not stand in the way – and he will not hesitate to replace them.
With Sarr bound for Turin, Moore and Souza heading to the continent, and Richarlison and Danso agitating for moves, Spurs are walking into the final days of the window with a squad in motion and a manager unafraid of upheaval. The only question now is how different this team will look once the deadline slams shut.
