Tottenham finally acting like a big club as the Roberto De Zerbi factor proves irresistible

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Tottenham finally acting like a big club with Mateus Fernandes deal as Roberto De Zerbi factor irresistible

Outmuscling Manchester United financially is a real sign of the times as Lewis Family stick to their word

Sam Tabuteau

2 minutes ago

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When the Lewis Family released a statement at the end of May saying they would invest in Tottenham’s playing squad, they also noted that actions speak louder than words.

At the time, that statement was met with skepticism by Spurs supporters after years of poor recruitment and successive 17th-place finishes.

However, as they close in on their fifth signing of a busy summer transfer window, with Mateus Fernandes set to undergo a medical ahead of a club-record £85million move, there can be no denying that Spurs’ owners have been true to their word.

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Fernandes will join £52m man Jan Paul van Hecke, as well as free signings Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, as part of Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuild, and it seems Spurs are not intent on stopping there.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali remains of interest to Spurs despite the imminent arrival of Fernandes, and the north London club appear comfortable with breaking their record transfer again to sign the 26-year-old.

Any deal for Tonali will likely take a fee in excess of £90m to complete, but De Zerbi wants Tonali and Fernandes to form the basis of his midfield revamp.

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Spurs’ interest in longstanding target, and Manchester City winger, Savinho suggests they also want to make additions in attack, and their spending is likely to climb beyond £200m this summer.

Titles are not won in the transfer window, as Liverpool can attest to last season, and De Zerbi’s ability to bed in so many new additions will be pivotal to whether Spurs are successful next term.

But the Lewis Family have at least shown vision and ambition as they attempt to learn from the mistakes of last season.

Beating Manchester United to the signature of Fernandes marks a change from last summer, when Spurs missed out on deals for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

While credit must also be given to the pace at which Spurs are getting deals over the line in a World Cup summer.

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They have identified problem areas, though many were staring them in the face, and addressed them quickly to ensure players have plenty of time to adapt to what De Zerbi wants.

Roberto De Zerbi has been reunited with Jan Paul van Hecke

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Spurs took until July 10 to seal their first major signing of last summer, when they announced the arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

They then failed to bring in another permanent signing until August 29, when they belatedly secured a deal for Xavi Simons after missing out on Gibbs-White and Eze.

Spurs’ business so far this summer has been more aggressive, more considered and more ambitious.

There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Premier League’s biggest teams right now, with Liverpool, Chelsea and City all appointing new managers, and this presents an opportunity for Spurs.

Despite last season’s debacle, Spurs are not under any major financial constraints and can match players’ wage demands while boasting one of the most revered managers in the division.

De Zerbi is a big pull for Spurs, and the fact that he has so consistently spoken with belief about what the club can achieve makes his vision an easy sell to potential targets.

After securing Premier League survival on the final day last season, De Zerbi deserved the backing of the club. Spurs supporters will hope this is the start rather than the end of their ambitions.

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