Tottenham Hotspur survived relegation on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and new manager Roberto De Zerbi is already mapping out an ambitious transfer window to ensure the club never faces such peril again.

De Zerbi, who collected 11 points from his seven matches in charge after taking over at Spurs, is reportedly targeting a trio of his former Brighton & Hove Albion players as his first major signings, according to The Telegraph's Miguel Delaney.

Three Brighton stars in De Zerbi's sights

The Italian is said to have identified midfielder Carlos Baleba, centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as his top priorities heading into the summer window. All three are familiar with De Zerbi's demanding style of play from their time together at Brighton.

Verbruggen is viewed as the ideal profile for De Zerbi's build-from-the-back philosophy. While Antonin Kinsky impressed during De Zerbi's opening run of matches, the Tottenham manager is understood to want a goalkeeper more comfortable playing out from deep.

Van Hecke, meanwhile, is expected to partner with Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi at the heart of the new-look Tottenham defence — a deal for Senesi is already considered close to completion.

Baleba race heats up

The most complicated pursuit of the three is likely to be Baleba. Manchester United have monitored the Cameroonian midfielder for months and remain favourites to secure his signature. Brighton are said to value Baleba at £100 million, a sum that would test any club's resolve.

Tottenham chiefs have pledged significant investment following the club's brush with relegation, though landing all three Brighton targets in a single window would represent a remarkable piece of business.

Other targets in the frame

Beyond the Brighton trio, Tottenham are also expected to bring in Liverpool's Andy Robertson on a free transfer following his departure from Anfield. Manchester City winger Savinho is another long-term target, with his future at the Etihad said to depend on the preferences of City's incoming manager.

After a turbulent season that brought Spurs to the brink of the Championship, De Zerbi appears determined to reshape the squad in his own image before a ball is kicked in 2026/27.