De Zerbi's Rescue Act Sparks Summer Overhaul as Spurs Pursue Van Hecke and Consider Tel Exit

Roberto De Zerbi's dramatic appointment on March 31 proved the difference between Premier League survival and Championship football for Tottenham. A solitary goal against Everton on the final day secured Spurs a two-point cushion over relegated West Ham, keeping them up when relegation looked a genuine possibility.

Now firmly focused on the summer window, Tottenham have already moved quickly with two free transfer signings lined up. Liverpool's Andy Robertson and Bournemouth's Marco Senesi will both arrive when their contracts expire at month's end, bolstering a squad that needs strengthening after a season that came perilously close to disaster.

Mathys Tel, meanwhile, finds himself in the shop window. The French Under-21 forward, who only made his permanent switch from Bayern Munich last summer, has reportedly been offered to Porto. According to reports, the Portuguese outfit are weighing up a loan-with-option-to-buy arrangement for the 30 million euro-valued forward.

Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney offered perspective on Tel's struggles in March, suggesting the forward needs time to adapt to English football and De Zerbi's demanding system. "He's moving countries, he's in London," Deeney explained on talkSPORT. "You're trying to learn a team that's depleted and injury-prone, and you're supposed to go in and change it. He hasn't played enough games to know who and what he is. You won't see the best of him, probably not next season, but the season after."

On the recruitment front, Spurs have made their move for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. An initial bid has been tabled for the 25-year-old Dutch international, though it falls short of Brighton's asking price. Talks are continuing as both clubs seek to find common ground.

The pursuit of Van Hecke carries financial implications beyond Spurs and Brighton. NAC Breda, Van Hecke's former club, stand to pocket 7.5 per cent of the fee. With reports suggesting Tottenham's opening offer sits around 40 million pounds, expect that figure to climb higher through negotiations—meaning a considerable windfall awaits the Dutch side.

Elsewhere, Tottenham are also monitoring Manchester City winger Savinho as they look to add attacking reinforcements to De Zerbi's squad.