Turmoil is brewing at Tottenham Hotspur, with manager Roberto de Zerbi laying down the gauntlet to underperforming players. In a blunt and forthright message, he's told any player not feeling 'proud and happy' to don the Spurs jersey to think seriously about their future - and seeking a transfer might just be the way out.
De Zerbi's words are music to the ears of fans, who have grown weary of the squad's inconsistency. This summer has seen the club splash the cash on a trio of midfield maestros, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes arriving for £185 million. And it doesn't stop there - Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi have also joined the party, bolstering Spurs' defensive options.
But one player who might be on his way out is Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall. Nottingham Forest has upped its bid to £45 million for the 20-year-old, having seen an initial offer of £38 million rejected. Despite featuring just once in a starting lineup and four times off the bench under De Zerbi last season, Bergvall could be heading out on loan or even a permanent deal.
De Zerbi made it clear he'd have a chat with Bergvall soon to hammer out a plan for his future - but you get the feeling this might just be a formality. "I want my players to be proud and happy to represent Tottenham," he said. "If they're not motivated, that's a problem. In football, motivation is key - especially with the World Cup on the horizon."
Spurs are far from done in the transfer market, though. De Zerbi hinted at further reinforcements, specifically targeting attacking areas to bolster his squad. And it sounds like Mohammed Kudus could be back in contention soon - he's been sidelined with a thigh injury, but de Zerbi is optimistic about his chances of making a swift return.
Not so for Dejan Kulusevski, who's facing an extended period on the sidelines with a knee issue. "We need to be cautious," said de Zerbi, and it seems they're taking their time to ensure he doesn't take any unnecessary risks. And then there's Xavi Simons, the attacking midfielder still recovering from that nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury in April.