Tottenham Hotspur have already committed around £237m on transfer fees this summer, meaning player sales are now expected to become an important part of the club’s business.
Tottenham’s summer rebuild has moved at a remarkable pace, with the club already completing five signings and another expected to be confirmed shortly.
Following the arrivals of free agents Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka, Spurs agreed a £52m deal for Jan Paul Van Hecke before smashing their transfer record twice in the space of 24 hours. Mateus Fernandes arrived from West Ham United for £85m before Tottenham followed that up with a £100m move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, who is expected to be announced soon.
Thanks in part to the £100m cash injection from the Lewis Family, Spurs have already transformed their defence and midfield this summer. However, with De Zerbi still expected to strengthen his attack, player sales are now likely to become an important part of Tottenham’s business in order to remain comfortably within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Four players Tottenham could sell to raise £150m
1. Cristian Romero (£50m-£60m)
Romero‘s future has looked increasingly uncertain ever since Tottenham completed the signing of Van Hecke from Brighton.
The Dutchman’s arrival is widely expected to replace the Argentine in De Zerbi’s starting defence, with many believing Romero’s sale would effectively fund much of that £52m transfer.
Although recent reports have suggested Romero has informed the club he would now like to stay, his future remains far from certain. Ben Jacobs has previously reported that Tottenham value the World Cup winner at between £50m and £60m.
Interest has arrived from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, while Romero’s father previously claimed the defender has a ‘very high’ release clause worth between $50m and $70m (£37.8m-£53m), a figure several interested clubs could realistically match.
2. Lucas Bergvall (£50m)
Bergvall’s future has become one of the more surprising stories of Tottenham’s summer. The arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are believed to have increased the Swede’s concerns over regular game time, particularly with Spurs not competing in Europe next season.
The midfielder has since informed the club that he would like a new challenge despite winning Tottenham’s Player of the Season award just a year ago. Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Napoli, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with Bergvall.
That said, Tottenham have made it clear that the 20-year-old is not for sale. De Zerbi and sporting director Johan Lange have both held talks with Bergvall to reassure him that he remains a key part of the club’s long-term plans.
If that stance were ever to change, Spurs would almost certainly demand at least £50m, having already rejected an offer worth around £43m from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer.
3. Guglielmo Vicario (£20m)
Several reports, including from Fabrizio Romano, have suggested Guglielmo Vicario could leave Tottenham following Antonin Kinsky’s emergence as the club’s new first-choice goalkeeper.
The arrivals of Martin Dubravka as experienced backup and Kinsky’s new long-term contract have only strengthened that belief.
Inter Milan had reportedly agreed personal terms with Vicario earlier this year before deciding against meeting Tottenham’s £20m valuation, opting instead to promote from within.
More recently, Juventus have emerged as another potential destination, with Luciano Spalletti said to be keen on a reunion with his former Empoli goalkeeper.
4. Richarlison (£30m)
Despite finishing as Tottenham’s top scorer last season with 12 goals, Richarlison’s long-term future also remains uncertain.
Spurs are expected to strengthen their attack this summer after another inconsistent campaign in front of goal, and the Brazilian could be one of the players sacrificed to help fund those additions.
Since arriving from Everton for £60m in July 2022, Richarlison has missed 420 days through injury and has managed only 32 goals across four seasons in North London.
According to FootballFanCast’s Ben Goodwin, Tottenham are open to cashing in if the right offer arrives. Everton continue to be linked with bringing him back, while clubs in MLS, Saudi Arabia and Brazil are all understood to be monitoring his situation.
The report adds that Richarlison would ideally like to remain in Europe, with Flamengo another club credited with interest should he decide to return to his homeland.
A transfer fee somewhere between £25m and £40m is believed to be realistic, depending on the buying club.